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In this post I will explain the grammar and introduce the meaning and usage of the 2nd conditional.

The basic pattern of a 2nd conditional sentence is as follows :

IF + [過去形], 主語 WOULD + [動詞の原型]

If I could speak English fluently, I would be happy.

If I was fired tomorrow, I would sue my boss.

fluently - 流暢に // be fired - 首になる・首にされる // sue - 訴える・裁判を起こす

The 2nd conditional is used to talk about imaginary situations, or situations that are unlikely to happen. So in the first example above “If I could speak English fluently” suggests that actually at present I cannot speak English fluently, and in the second example “If I was fired tomorrow” suggests that it is unlikely that I will be fired tomorrow.

imaginary - 想像的 // unlikely to happen - ありえない

In fact, the order of the clauses in such sentences can be reversed, and ‘would’ is often shortened to ‘d - for example the two examples above could also be said:

I’d be happy if I could speak English fluently.

I’d sue my boss if I was fired tomorrow.

clause - 節

Let’s compare 1st conditional with 2nd conditional using a common question which is often practised in English conversation schools all over the world.

2nd conditional : What would you do if you won the lottery?

1st conditional : What will you do if you win the lottery?

lottery - 宝くじ・阿弥陀くじ

The first sentence suggests that your winning the lottery is unlikely to happen and therefore posits an imaginary situation. In the second sentence, your winning the lottery is at the least possible, and maybe even likely to happen. For example, if you know your friend has bought a lottery ticket, then you could use the 1st conditional sentence, but if you want to emphasize the unlikelihood of your friend winning then you would use the 2nd conditional sentence.

posit - 仮定する // at the least - 少なくとも // emphasize - 強調する

unlikelihood - ありえなさそうなこと

OK. Let’s try some practise. Translate the following sentences and then check your ideas against the audio.

1. もし仕事がなかったら、あなたはどうする？
2. もし上司に聞いたら、彼はいいアドバイスをしてくれるだろう。
3. もし私があなただったら、それを心配しないだろう。
4. もうちょっと暇があったら、もっと英語の勉強をするだろう。
5. もし機会があったら、彼らは東京に戻るだろう。

Next, complete these sentences with the correct form of the verb in brackets and then check your answers against the audio.

1. I’d buy it if it _____ (be) a bit cheaper.
2. This room would be nicer if we ____ (have) some pictures on the walls.
3. If there wasn’t so much traffic, the air ____ (be) cleaner.
4. Life would be boring if every day ____ (be) the same.
5. I’m really sorry - I would definitely go if I ____ (not have) to work.

Next, let’s practise using both 1st and 2nd conditional sentences. Read the following sentences and decide if they are likely to happen to you or not - imaginary or real. Then make a sentence.

例：あなたは、風邪を引く。

ありうると思ったら：

ありえないと思ったら:

1. 明日は、雨が降る。
   ありえる：
   ありえない：
2. 北朝鮮は日本に攻撃する。
   ありえる：
   ありえない：
3. あなたは今退職する。
   ありえる：
   ありえない：

Finally, choose the best endings for the sentences and then check your answers against the audio.

If it rains tomorrow… If it rained tomorrow… If it’s a nice day… If you need any help… I would… If it’s fun… I’d be very happy…

…the tennis would be cancelled. …let’s have a barbecue. …please just ask. …if I could, but I can’t. …if I won the lottery. …the tennis will be cancelled. …I’ll stay to the end.

All the answers are here :

Actually, there are more types of conditional sentences and it is possible to mix tenses more freely in actual spoken English. First though I think it is useful to master the 1st and 2nd conditionals as I have presented them here.