FCE Second Conditional

Index

Complete the sentences using the words in bold. Use two to five words. Put in commas where necessary.

1) She doesn't work here and that is why she can't enter without a pass.
IF

2) I advise you to stop eating junk food.
WOULD

3) What would you do if you won the lottery?
TO

4) She took a coat because she feared it might get cold.
CASE

5) If Sara weren't ill, she would go with us to the mountains.
BUT

6) Diane wants to phone her uncle but she hasn't got the number.
HAD

Test Answers!

ANSWERS 1: IF SHE WORKED
EXPLANATION
MODAL VERB (COULD) + IF + PAST SIMPLE
More Examples:
If she were a princess, she could marry a prince. IF + PAST SIMPLE + MODAL VERB (COULD)
If she were a princess, she would be able to marry a prince. IF + PAST SIMPLE + WOULD BE ABLE TO is also possible!

ANSWERS 2: I WERE (WAS) YOU, I WOULD (I'D)
EXPLANATION
IF I WERE YOU, I WOULD + INFINITIVE => is often used to give advice.
More Examples:
If I were you, I would look for a job. IF I WERE YOU + I WOULD (the past subjunctive form of be is WERE for all persons)
If I was you, I would never buy this car. IF I WAS YOU + I WOULD (you can use WAS after I, she, he or it)

ANSWERS 3: WERE TO WIN
EXPLANATION
IF ... WERE + TO + INFINITIVE => to talk about imaginary future situation.
More Examples:
~~If I were to know her telephone number, I would call her.~~ X We cannot use this pattern with verbs that describe a state (UNDERSTAND, KNOW, LIKE, HATE etc.)!
If I knew her telephone number, I would call her. CORRECT!
If Maria were to fail her exam next week, she would have to take it again. IF ... WERE + TO + INFINITIVE

ANSWERS 4: IN CASE IT GOT
EXPLANATION
PAST SIMPLE + IN CASE + PAST SIMPLE - to say why someone did something.
More Examples:
They bought more beer in case Jack came. PAST SIMPLE + IN CASE + PAST SIMPLE
John wrote to Amelia again in case she hadn't received his first email. PAST SIMPLE + IN CASE + PAST PERFECT is also possible!

ANSWERS 5: BUT FOR SARA'S ILLNESS
EXPLANATION
BUT FOR + NOUN - to say that one situation is dependent on another situation.
More Examples:
But for her laziness, she would be a better student. BUT FOR + NOUN + WOULD + INFINITIVE
If it weren't for her laziness, she would be a better student. IF IT WEREN'T FOR + NOUN + WOULD + INFINITIVE is also possible!

ANSWERS 6: HAD THE NUMBER, SHE WOULD (SHE'D)
EXPLANATION
IF + PAST SIMPLE + WOULD + INFINITIVE
More Examples:
If the film interested me, I would watch it. IF + PAST SIMPLE + COMMA + WOULD + INFINITIVE
He would buy a new computer if he had enough money. WOULD + INFINITIVE + IF + PAST SIMPLE (NO COMMA)