Second conditional If I had a car, I wouldn’t need to leave home so early. [I don’t have a car.] If I were a plumber, I would fix the leaking pipes at home. [I’m not a plumber.] If I lived in Iceland, I would speak Icelandic. [I don’t live in Iceland.]

Second conditional The second conditional talks about an unrealistic present or an unlikely future.

Second conditional If I lived in Iceland, I would speak Icelandic. Definitely. I love languages and I would study hard. If I lived in Iceland, I could speak Icelandic. Here ,it’s impossible, but there I’d be in touch with lots of native speakers. If I lived in Iceland, I might speak Icelandic. It’s a difficult language, but who knows? I might learn it. In the main clause, could and might are also possible instead of would.

Third conditional If I had grown up in Iceland, I would have seen a lot of snow. [I didn’t grow up in Iceland.] If I had been born in Krypton*, I would have become a superhero. [I wasn’t born in Krypton.] * Superman’s native planet

Third conditional The third conditional talks about an unrealistic past.

Third conditional If I had practiced basketball as a child, I might have become a professional player. [I didn’t practice basketball as a child.] In the main clause, could have done and might have done are also possible instead of would have done.

Grammar summary Second conditional If I were a professional basketball player, I would play in the Olympic games. Third conditional: If I had practiced basketball as a child, I would have become a professional player.

What to stress Main verbs, but not auxiliary verbs: I would have visited her if I had known she was home. Verb to be in the present and past simple is unstressed: My sister was upset last night. Negative elements, including auxiliary verbs: I wouldn’t visit her if I didn’t like her.

What to stress Subjects (except if they are subject pronouns): My brother likes blonde girls, but I prefer dark-haired girls. Objects and complements of the main verbs (except if they are object pronouns): If I played the guitar, I could have a band.

What to stress Adverbs If I played the piano very well, I could be a professional musician. References of time and place: I would have visited her yesterday If I had known she was home. Question words: What would you have done if you had been aboard the Titanic?

Pronunciation p. 54 I would have been terrified If I told you what happened, If I hadn’t read the safety information, I wouldn’t fly with that airline If I’d stayed in the building longer, I’d travel more

Pronunciation p. 54 I would have been terrified If I told you what happened, If I hadn’t read the safety information, I wouldn’t fly with that airline If I’d stayed in the building longer, I’d travel more