First or second conditional ?
The second conditional is used to talk about hypothetical situations that are unlikely or impossible in the present or future. It follows the structure:
If + past simple, would + base form of the verb.
Here's a table with examples in English, Russian, German, and Turkish:
Language | Example Sentence | Translation |
English | If I had a million dollars, I would travel the world. | - |
Russian | Если бы у меня был миллион долларов, я бы путешествовал по миру. | If I had a million dollars, I would travel the world. |
German | Wenn ich eine Million Dollar hätte, würde ich um die Welt reisen. | If I had a million dollars, I would travel the world. |
Turkish | Bir milyon dolarım olsaydı, dünyayı gezerdim. | If I had a million dollars, I would travel the world. |
Language | Example Sentence | Translation |
English | If it rained tomorrow, I would stay home. | - |
Russian | Если бы завтра пошел дождь, я бы остался дома. | If it rained tomorrow, I would stay home. |
German | Wenn es morgen regnen würde, würde ich zu Hause bleiben. | If it rained tomorrow, I would stay home. |
Turkish | Yarın yağmur yağsaydı, evde kalırdım. | If it rained tomorrow, I would stay home. |
Language | Example Sentence | Translation |
English | If I knew his phone number, I would call him. | - |
Russian | Если бы я знал его номер телефона, я бы позвонил ему. | If I knew his phone number, I would call him. |
German | Wenn ich seine Telefonnummer wüsste, würde ich ihn anrufen. | If I knew his phone number, I would call him. |
Turkish | Telefon numarasını bilseydim, onu arardım. | If I knew his phone number, I would call him. |
Language | Example Sentence | Translation |
English | If she were here, she would help us. | - |
Russian | Если бы она была здесь, она бы нам помогла. | If she were here, she would help us. |
German | Wenn sie hier wäre, würde sie uns helfen. | If she were here, she would help us. |
Turkish | Burada olsaydı, bize yardım ederdi. | If she were here, she would help us. |
Language | Example Sentence | Translation |
English | If I were you, I would take that job. | - |
Russian | Если бы я был тобой, я бы принял эту работу. | If I were you, I would take that job. |
German | Wenn ich du wäre, würde ich den Job annehmen. | If I were you, I would take that job. |
Turkish | Senin yerinde olsaydım, o işi kabul ederdim. | If I were you, I would take that job. |
Language | Example Sentence | Translation |
English | If we lived in the city, we would go out more often. | - |
Russian | Если бы мы жили в городе, мы бы чаще выходили. | If we lived in the city, we would go out more often. |
German | Wenn wir in der Stadt wohnen würden, würden wir öfter ausgehen. | If we lived in the city, we would go out more often. |
Turkish | Şehirde yaşasaydık, daha sık dışarı çıkardık. | If we lived in the city, we would go out more often. |
First or second conditional?
Learn the examples
1. If I had a job, I'd get my own flat.
If David spoke good English, he could get a job in that new hotel.
I would get on better with my parents if I didn't live with them.
I wouldn't do that job unless they paid me a really good salary.
2. If your sister were here, she'd know what to do.
If it was warmer, we could have a swim.
3. If I were you, I'd buy a new computer.
We use the second conditional to talk about a hypothetical or imaginary present or future situation and its consequence.
We can also use could instead of would in the other clause.
We often use second conditionals beginning If I were you, I'd ... to give advice. Here we don't normally use if I was you ...
First or second conditional?
First Conditional | Second Conditional |
If I have time, I'll help you. | If I had time, I'd help you. |
this is a real situation, it's possible that I'll have time | this is a hypothetical / imaginary situation, I don't actually have time |
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