IF CLAUSE TYPE 2

 

IF CLAUSE TYPE 2

 

when is second conditional (if clause type 2) used?

In general, we use conditional sentences for ideas or situations that depend on another. They are, therefore, subject to a condition. In particular, the second conditional sentence, which is also often called if-clause type 2, is used in the following cases:

• Examples of using the second conditional sentence …
• … for circumstances that could occur due to a condition (which is more likely not to be met or impossible to meet):
• “If I won the lottery, I would go on a trip around the world.”
• The condition (lottery win) could be met but is improbable.
• “Would you jump out of a plane if you had a parachute?”
• The situation is unreal and is unlikely to happen.
• “If I had wings, I would fly away.”
• 
  The condition (having wings) is fictitious and cannot be fulfilled.
• … to give advice. In this case, we use the phrase ‘if I were you’ (subjunctive) in the if-part:
• “If I were you, I would do it.”
• “I wouldn’t be so worried if I were you.”

‘if’ + past simple or past continuous, clause with present conditional simple or present conditional continuous

 

• “If I had the opportunity, I’d leave.”
• This sentence needs a comma for separation as ‘if’ is at the beginning of the sentence.
• “I’d leave if I had the opportunity.”
• Here, no comma is necessary as ‘if’ appears in the second clause.