English grammar
If I were you, I'd… (second conditional for advice)
Give advice using the second conditional: if I were you, I would….
From the scene If I were you…
In short
Give advice with if I were you + I'd + verb. The negative is I wouldn't.
Your turn
Which one goes with if I were in your shoes?
Options: If I were you, I wouldn't wear a suit. · If I were in your shoes, I'd order a bit of everything. · If I were you, I'd go to a tapas bar.
Show answer
if I were in your shoes → If I were in your shoes, I'd order a bit of everything.
How it works
For advice, imagine being the other person: if I were you (were, not was, in careful English) + I'd (= I would) + base verb.
Your turn
Pick the word that fits the line.
If I were you, (blank) ask Doña Elena for help.
Options: I'd · I ask · I will ask
Show answer
If I were you, I'd ask Doña Elena for help.
Yo que tú, le pediría ayuda a Doña Elena.
Good to know
If I were in your shoes means the same. The negative is I wouldn't.
if I were you, I'd + verb If I were you, I'd go to a tapas bar.
Nuria
If I were you, I'd go to a tapas bar.
Yo que tú, iría a un bar de tapas.
Your turn
What fills the gap?
(blank).
Options: If I were you, I'd go to a tapas bar · If I were in your shoes, I'd order a bit of everything · If I were you, I wouldn't wear a suit
Show answer
Nuria
If I were you, I'd go to a tapas bar.
Yo que tú, iría a un bar de tapas.
if I were in your shoes If I were in your shoes, I'd order a bit of everything.
Nuria
If I were in your shoes, I'd order a bit of everything.
Yo en tu lugar, pediría de todo un poco.
Your turn
What fills the gap?
(blank).
Options: If I were you, I wouldn't wear a suit · If I were in your shoes, I'd order a bit of everything · If I were you, I'd go to a tapas bar
Show answer
Nuria
If I were in your shoes, I'd order a bit of everything.
Yo en tu lugar, pediría de todo un poco.
negative: I wouldn't If I were you, I wouldn't wear a suit.
Nuria
If I were you, I wouldn't wear a suit. In a bar, there's no need.
Yo que tú, no llevaría traje. En un bar, no hace falta.
Your turn
What fills the gap?
(blank). In a bar, there's no need.
Options: If I were you, I'd go to a tapas bar · If I were in your shoes, I'd order a bit of everything · If I were you, I wouldn't wear a suit
Show answer
Nuria
If I were you, I wouldn't wear a suit. In a bar, there's no need.
Yo que tú, no llevaría traje. En un bar, no hace falta.
she'd = she would She'd sit down with us and order everything.
Javi
Doña Elena? She'd sit down with us and order everything.
¿A Doña Elena? Se sentaría con nosotros y pediría de todo.
Your turn
What fills the gap?
Doña Elena? (blank).
Options: If I were you, I'd go to a tapas bar · I'd order a bit of everything · She'd sit down with us and order everything
Show answer
Javi
Doña Elena? She'd sit down with us and order everything.
¿A Doña Elena? Se sentaría con nosotros y pediría de todo.
Common mistake
Not don't or won't here. Second conditional negative.
If I were you, I wouldn't wear a suit. In a bar, there's no need.
Yo que tú, no llevaría traje. En un bar, no hace falta.
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
| if I were you, I'd + verb | If I were you, I'd go to a tapas bar. |
|---|---|
| if I were in your shoes | If I were in your shoes, I'd order a bit of everything. |
| negative: I wouldn't | If I were you, I wouldn't wear a suit. |
| she'd = she would | She'd sit down with us and order everything. |
More lines from the story
- NuriaIf I were you, I'd ask Doña Elena for help.Yo que tú, le pediría ayuda a Doña Elena.
- JaviTonight I'm going out with my parents. Where should I take them?Esta noche salgo con mis padres. ¿Adónde los llevo?