If I had…, I would…
Second conditional
For something imagined or unlikely: if + the past, then would: If I had more time, I would travel.
- If I had more time, I'd travel more.
- If I were you, I'd talk to her.
- What would you do if you won?
After «si», Spanish uses «tuviera» (si tuviera más tiempo); after if, English uses the plain past, never would: If I had more time.
In the if half of an imagined sentence, no would: If I had more time (not if I would have). Polite phrases are fine: If you'd like…, I'd be grateful if you would… (If I were you is the usual advice; If I was… is also fine in everyday English.)
Also on this page: If I were you · What would you do if…? · If it rains… (the first conditional)
Try 6
Six quick questions, easiest first. At the end you'll see which mistake you make.
- If I ______ a terrible cold, I would stay at home and rest.have · will have · would have · had
- If you ______ more water, you wouldn't get headaches so often.would drink · drink · drank · will drink
- If I ______ you, I would talk to a doctor about those symptoms.am · would be · were · will be
- If I ______ sick, I would tell my teacher.would feel · feel · felt
- I ______ the guitar if I had more patience.learned · would learn · will learn
- What ______ if the doctor told you to stop playing sport?will you do · do you do · would you do
- Maya doesn't have hay fever. If she ______ from it, she wouldn't enjoy walking in the park in spring.would suffer · will suffer · suffers · suffered
- If Jon ______ so terrible at sport, he would join the school football team.wouldn't be · isn't · weren't · won't be
- Our doctor says that if people ______ more fruit, they would be less likely to get ill.eat · would eat · ate · will eat
- I'd apply for that job if it ______ moving to another city.wouldn't mean · doesn't mean · didn't mean
- If I ______ to bed earlier, I wouldn't feel so tired.would go · went · go
- What ______ first if someone gave you a thousand pounds tomorrow?will you buy · would you buy · do you buy
Show the answers
- hadnot have: the present after if, with would in the other halfnot will have: will for something imaginednot would have: would after if
- dranknot drink: the present after if, with would in the other halfnot will drink: will for something imaginednot would drink: would after if
- werenot am: the present after if, with would in the other halfnot will be: will for something imaginednot would be: would after if
- feltnot feel: the present after if, with would in the other halfnot would feel: would after if
- would learnnot will learn: will for something imagined
- would you donot will you do: will for something imagined
- sufferednot suffers: the present after if, with would in the other halfnot will suffer: will for something imaginednot would suffer: would after if
- weren'tnot isn't: the present after if, with would in the other halfnot won't be: will for something imaginednot wouldn't be: would after if
- atenot eat: the present after if, with would in the other halfnot will eat: will for something imaginednot would eat: would after if
- didn't meannot doesn't mean: the present after if, with would in the other halfnot wouldn't mean: would after if
- wentnot go: the present after if, with would in the other halfnot would go: would after if
- would you buynot will you buy: will for something imagined
Common mistakes on this point
Not: If I would have more time, I would travel.
Say: If I had more time, I would travel.
In the if half of an imagined sentence, use the past, not would: If I had…, I would…
See this mistake on its own page ›Not: If I have more money, I would buy a car.
Say: If I had more money, I would buy a car.
For something imagined about now or the future: If I had…, I'd…
See this mistake on its own page ›Not: If I won the lottery, I will buy a house.
Say: If I won the lottery, I would buy a house.
For something imagined, use would, not will: If I won…, I'd buy…
See this mistake on its own page ›