The 2nd conditional is used to express unreal situations in the present or future. Often used to express a wish.

Uses the simple past tense:-

Formation

(IF Clause)
(Main Clause)
If I won the lottery, I would buy a new house.

or...

(Main Clause)
(IF Clause)
I would buy a new house if I won the lottery.

Note! We never use would, or wouldn't in the if clause.

For example:

  • If I were you, I wouldn't do that. = I wouldn't do that, if I were you. (I am not you - therefore the condition is unreal).

  • If I had more time, I would do more on my websites. = I would do more on my websites, if I had more time. (I don't have more time - therefore the condition is unreal).