Second and Third Conditional

Jane: What do you do if you have a lot of money? 

Tom: I would buy a big house!

From the conversation above, the conversation is one example of second conditional. Wanna more? Here we go ;)

2nd Conditional Sentences

2nd conditional (also called conditional type 2) is a structure used for talking about unreal situations in the present or in the future. This page will explain how the second conditional is formed, and when to use it.  (Contrary-fact)

Like a first conditional, a second conditional sentence consists of two clauses, an “if” clause and a main clause:

Main clause: If I had a million dollars, 

If Clause: I would buy a big house. 

If the “if” clause comes first, a comma is usually used. If the “if” clause comes second, there is no need for a comma:

If clause: I would buy a big house,

Main clause: if I had a million dollars.

Formula :

If clause If + simple past (V2) Result clause would + V1

3rd Conditional Sentences

3rd  conditional  sentences  is   an “impossible condition” , meaning it is contrary to the  fact in the past  and there is no hope for the situation to occur because you were imagining something in the past.

Like the other conditionals, a third conditional sentence consists of two clauses, an “if” clause and a main clause:

If clause: if + subject + past perfect verb

Main clause: subject + would (OR could, OR might) have + past participle

The third conditional is used to talk about things which did not happen in the past. If your native language does not have a similar construction, you may find this a little strange, but it can be very useful.