Casa · B1 Intermediate · Lesson 9 of 20 · Step 1

Technology & Communication

Second Conditional

Form the second conditional correctly (if + past simple, would + infinitive)
Use the second conditional to talk about unreal or unlikely situations
Distinguish between the first and second conditional

Words · tap a card to see it used

Grammar

Second conditional (if + past simple, would + infinitive)

Use the second conditional to talk about imaginary, unlikely, or unreal present/future situations. The 'if' clause uses the past simple, and the main clause uses 'would + infinitive'. Use 'were' (not 'was') with I/he/she/it in formal English. The second conditional is different from the first: the first conditional is about real possibilities, while the second is about unreal or hypothetical situations.

If I had more time, I would learn to code.

If she were the CEO, she would invest more in research.

I wouldn't buy that phone if it didn't have a good camera.

What would you do if you could travel anywhere in the world?

Exercises · type, then check

1. Complete each second conditional sentence with the correct form of the verb in brackets.

1.If I (have) a million dollars, I (start) my own company.

2.She (travel) the world if she (not have) to work.

3.If people (not use) social media, they (have) more free time.

4.What you (do) if you (be) invisible for a day?

5.If there (be) no internet, life (be) very different.

2. Choose the correct conditional form for each situation.

1. If I ___ rich, I ___ a house by the sea. (imaginary)

2. If it ___ tomorrow, we ___ at home. (real possibility)

3. If she ___ the answer, she ___ you. (imaginary)

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Reading

A World Without Smartphones

Imagine for a moment that smartphones had never been invented. How different would our lives be? If smartphones didn't exist, we would probably still use paper maps to find our way around cities. We wouldn't be able to take photos so easily, and social media would look very different — or might not exist at all. If people couldn't send instant messages, they would perhaps write more letters or make more phone calls. On the other hand, if we didn't have smartphones, we would probably spend more time talking face to face. Some studies suggest that we would feel less anxious if we weren't constantly checking notifications. Of course, smartphones have brought enormous benefits too. If we removed them completely, we would also lose many useful tools for education, health, and communication.

1. According to the text, what would people use instead of smartphone maps?

2. What does the text suggest about anxiety and smartphones?

Speaking · say it out loud, with a partner or alone

1Discuss with your partner: 'If you could invent any piece of technology, what would it be and why?' Describe your invention using the second conditional.

2Take turns asking hypothetical questions: 'What would you do if you had to live without the internet for a month?' 'If you could meet any inventor, who would you choose?'

Writing

Write 6–8 sentences about what you would do if technology suddenly disappeared from your life. How would your daily routine change? What would you miss the most?

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Finished?

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