You will be able to talk about unreal or unlikely situations in the present and future, and express what you would do if something different were true.
The Second Conditional is formed with if plus Past Simple in the condition clause, and would plus the base verb in the main clause. It describes situations that are imaginary, unlikely or contrary to present reality. Use it to talk about what would happen if circumstances were different now or in the future.
If we had more budget, we would hire two new staff members in the London office.
If the supplier cancelled the order tomorrow, we would need to find an alternative manufacturer.
If I were in your position, I would negotiate a better rate with that supplier.
If you received an offer from a competitor, would you consider leaving the company?
If the quarterly results were stronger, the shareholders would approve the expansion plan.
If the client approved the proposal, we would launch the product next month.
If the team did not receive training, they would not complete the project on time.
Short form: If the team did not receive training, they wouldn't complete the project on time.
If you had the resources, would you expand into the Manchester office?
If the budget were reduced, would you not delay the recruitment process?
Short form: If the budget were reduced, wouldn't you delay the recruitment process?
Common mistake. Remember to use the Past Simple form in the if clause, even though you are talking about an unreal present or future situation. For example, write if we had (not if we would have), and if Sarah were the manager (not if Sarah would be the manager).
Choose the correct form for each gap. Your answer is marked at once, with the reason.
1.If the Edinburgh branch ___ (open) next year, we would need to recruit five new staff members.
positive2.If interest rates ___ (rise), the company would struggle to secure a loan for the new factory.
positive3.If the supplier ___ (deliver) the goods on time, we would meet our customer deadline.
positive4.If we had stronger quarterly results, we ___ (announce) the expansion to shareholders next week.
positive5.If the team ___ (receive) additional training, they would finish the project ahead of schedule.
positive6.If you ___ (work) in our Bristol office, you would have a shorter commute than you do now.
positive7.If the competition ___ (launch) a similar product, we would need to adjust our pricing strategy.
positive8.If we did not negotiate with the supplier, we ___ (not / secure) a better contract.
negative9.If the budget ___ (not / increase), we would not be able to hire new consultants this year.
negative10.If Sarah ___ (not / know) the client personally, she would not be able to arrange the meeting so easily.
negative11.If the shareholder vote ___ (not / pass), the merger would not proceed as planned in Leeds.
negative12.If the firm ___ (not / invest) in new technology, we would lose competitive advantage by next year.
negative13.___ (you / accept) the job offer if the salary were higher?
question14.___ (the client / agree) to the new terms if we offered a longer payment period?
question15.If we had the funding, ___ (you / relocate) the head office to London?
question16.If interest rates fell tomorrow, ___ (the company / borrow) more money for expansion?
question17.If Daniel were promoted to manager, ___ (he / manage) the Birmingham team?
question18.If the office ___ (not / close) at six, would you not stay later?
negative question19.___ (you / not / consider) moving to Manchester if the company offered you a better package?
negative question20.If Priya had more experience with spreadsheets, ___ (she / not / need) to ask for help with the budget analysis?
negative question