While I drink my coffeeSecond conditional
Unreal or imagined situations now or in the future: If + Past Simple, would + verb. Advice: If I were you, I’d…
The pattern
If I understood British English, I wouldn’t feel like an idiot. The form is past, but the meaning is now.
Were for everyone
In careful English: If I were, if she were. Especially in advice: If I were you, I wouldn’t wait.
First or second
First: it is really possible: If he calls, I’ll answer. Second: unlikely or not true now: If he called, I’d be surprised.
| Condition | Result |
|---|---|
| If I were you, | I wouldn’t wait. |
| If he spoke like Astrid, | he’d feel more confident. |
| If I had more time, | I’d read the whole novel. |
If I were you, I wouldn’t wait for his email.advice
If he understood British English, he wouldn’t feel like an idiot.not true now
What would you do if you lived in London?an imagined situation
Remember: would is the word for imagining: it goes only in the result part, never after if.
Practice
1. If I ___ you, I wouldn’t wait.
2. If he spoke like Astrid, he ___ more confident.
3. What would you do if you ___ a million pounds?
4. If I had more time, I ___ the whole novel tonight.
5. If he calls, I ___ answer. (It’s possible.)
6. If I ___ (live) in London, I’d buy a bigger umbrella.
7. If Leo understood British English, he ___ (not / feel) like an idiot.
8. If I ___ (be) you, I would send it again.