Conditional Type II (Second Conditional) is used to talk about unreal or hypothetical situations in the present or future. The structure involves a past tense verb in the "if" clause and "would + verb" in the main clause. It's important to note that Conditional Type II expresses situations that are unlikely or impossible to happen.
Now let's analyze and complete each sentence, keeping in mind the rules of the Second Conditional:
If she (phone) me yesterday, we (go) to the cinema.
Correct Answer: If she had phoned me yesterday, we would have gone to the cinema.
Explanation: This sentence refers to a past hypothetical situation, so it actually follows the Third Conditional structure (not the Second Conditional). Since the event didn't happen (she didn't call), we use "had phoned" and "would have gone."
I (be) happy if it (be) summer.
Correct Answer: I would be happy if it were summer.
Explanation: This expresses an unreal present situation. We use "were" instead of "was" in the "if" clause because it's grammatically correct in formal English to use "were" with all subjects in the Second Conditional.
If I (be) you, I (watch) the film next week.
Correct Answer: If I were you, I would watch the film next week.
Explanation: This is a common Second Conditional structure used for giving advice or imagining being in someone else's position. Again, "were" is used instead of "was."
She (forgive) him if he (apologize).
Correct Answer: She would forgive him if he apologized.
Explanation: This is a hypothetical present/future situation. "Apologized" is in the past tense, and "would forgive" is used in the main clause.
They (buy) the house if she (agree) to sell it.
Correct Answer: They would buy the house if she agreed to sell it.
Explanation: This expresses an unreal future scenario. The past tense "agreed" is used in the "if" clause, and "would buy" is in the main clause.
If we (be) friends, he (invite) me to his birthday party.
Correct Answer: If we were friends, he would invite me to his birthday party.
Explanation: This expresses a hypothetical present situation. "Were" is used in the "if" clause, and "would invite" is in the main clause.
If I (have) her address, I (give) it to you.
Correct Answer: If I had her address, I would give it to you.
Explanation: This expresses an unreal present situation. The past tense "had" is used to indicate we don’t currently have her address.
I (lend) you the money if I (have) it.
Correct Answer: I would lend you the money if I had it.
Explanation: This sentence describes a present hypothetical situation. "Had" is used in the "if" clause to show that the speaker does not currently have the money.
I (help) you if you (ask) me.
Correct Answer: I would help you if you asked me.
Explanation: This is a hypothetical scenario in the present or future. "Asked" is in the past tense, and "would help" is in the main clause.
I (ask) him to lend me the money if I (see) him.
Correct Answer: I would ask him to lend me the money if I saw him.
Explanation: This sentence refers to a hypothetical situation where the speaker doesn’t see the person. "Saw" is in the past tense, and "would ask" is in the main clause.
Summary:
To form the Second Conditional, keep these rules in mind:
- Use past tense in the "if" clause.
- Use would + base verb in the main clause.
- For unreal present or future situations, use "were" instead of "was" with "I," "he," "she," or "it."