English grammar
If I had…, I'd… (second conditional)
Talk about dreams and what you would do.
From the scene If I had money...
In short
For an imagined situation, use if + past, then would + verb. With be, use were: if I were rich.
Your turn
Which one goes with with be: were?
Options: if I were rich… · if you had money… · I'd buy a flat with a lift
Show answer
with be: were → if I were rich…
How it works
For a situation you're only imagining, use if + past simple, then would ('d) + verb: if you had money, what would you do?
Your turn
Pick the word that fits the line.
(blank) travel all around the world.
Clue: just a dream
Options: I'll · I did · I'd
Show answer
I'd travel all around the world.
Yo viajaría por todo el mundo.
Good to know
With be, careful English uses were for everyone: if I were rich… Negative: I wouldn't.
imagined situation: if + past if you had money…
Javi
If you had money, what would you do?
Si tuvieras dinero, ¿qué harías?
Your turn
What fills the gap?
(blank), what would you do?
Options: If I were rich · I'd buy a flat with a lift · If you had money
Show answer
Javi
If you had money, what would you do?
Si tuvieras dinero, ¿qué harías?
with be: were if I were rich…
Javi
If I were rich, I wouldn't work.
Si yo fuera rico, no trabajaría.
Your turn
What fills the gap?
(blank), I wouldn't work.
Options: If you had money · I'd buy a flat with a lift · If I were rich
Show answer
Javi
If I were rich, I wouldn't work.
Si yo fuera rico, no trabajaría.
the result: 'd + verb I'd buy a flat with a lift
Nuria
I'd buy a flat with a lift.
Me compraría un piso con ascensor.
Your turn
What fills the gap?
(blank).
Options: If you had money · If I were rich · I'd buy a flat with a lift
Show answer
Nuria
I'd buy a flat with a lift.
Me compraría un piso con ascensor.
negative I wouldn't work / I wouldn't change a thing
Javi
If I were rich, I wouldn't work.
Si yo fuera rico, no trabajaría.
Your turn
What fills the gap?
If I were rich, (blank).
Options: If you had money · I'd buy a flat with a lift · I wouldn't work
Show answer
Javi
If I were rich, I wouldn't work.
Si yo fuera rico, no trabajaría.
Common mistake
Not I'll or I did here. Just a dream.
I'd buy a flat with a lift.
Me compraría un piso con ascensor.
Practise it in the story
Meet this rule inside a short animated scene. Answer as it plays, then say the lines yourself.
Practise free in the appSee all forms
| imagined situation: if + past | if you had money… |
|---|---|
| with be: were | if I were rich… |
| the result: 'd + verb | I'd buy a flat with a lift |
| negative | I wouldn't work / I wouldn't change a thing |
More lines from the story
- JaviI'd travel all around the world.Yo viajaría por todo el mundo.
- ElenaWell... I'd buy some binoculars.Bueno... me compraría unos prismáticos.
- NuriaOh, yes... And you, Javi?Ay, sí... ¿Y tú, Javi?