Getting started
Imagine you won a trip to anywhere in the world. Where would you go?
If I won a trip, I would go to New Zealand.
You haven't won a trip, and you probably won't. You are imagining a situation. For situations like this, English uses if-clauses type 2.
Auf Deutsch: Typ 2 beschreibt etwas Vorgestelltes oder Unwahrscheinliches. Im Deutschen benutzt du dafür den Konjunktiv II: „Wenn ich eine Reise gewinnen würde, würde ich nach Neuseeland fahren.“
Explanation
Tenses in type 2
| if-clause | main clause |
|---|---|
| simple past | would + infinitive |
| If I won a trip, | I would go to New Zealand. |
| If I had more time, | I*'d** learn the guitar.* |
| If she didn't live so far away, | we would see her more often. |
The simple past in the if-clause does not mean the past here. It means: this is not real, or it is unlikely.
Again: no would in the if-clause.
- wrong: If I would have more time, I would learn the guitar.
- right: If I had more time, I would learn the guitar.
Auf Deutsch: Im Deutschen darf „würde“ in beiden Satzteilen stehen. Im Englischen steht would nur im Hauptsatz.
If I were you
With be, you can use were for all persons in type 2. It is the more formal and the more common form in writing:
- If I were rich, I would buy a house by the sea.
- If she were here, she would know what to do.
If I was … is also used in everyday speech. The phrase If I were you, … is fixed. You use it to give advice:
If I were you, I would talk to your teacher.
could and might
Instead of would, the main clause can have could (would be able to) or might (would perhaps):
- If I had a car, I could drive you home.
- If you asked him nicely, he might help you.
Imagined present, not the past
Type 2 is often about the present: things that are not true now.
- I don't have a dog. → If I had a dog, I would take it for walks every day.
- I'm not tall enough. → If I were taller, I could play in the basketball team.
Examples
Example 1: Dreams
If I could live anywhere, I would live in a lighthouse on the coast of Cornwall. I would watch the ships every morning. If it were stormy, I would stay inside and read. My friends could visit me if they didn't mind the long journey.
None of this is real. All the if-clauses are in the simple past, all main clauses have would or could.
Example 2: Advice
Your friend Max has a problem: he always forgets his homework.
- If I were you, I would write a list every evening.
- If you used a planner, you wouldn't forget so much.
- If you asked your sister, she might remind you.
Rule
If-clause type 2 (imagined or unlikely): if + simple past, would / could / might + infinitive. No would in the if-clause. If I were you, I would … gives advice.
Exercises
Grundlagen
- Put the verbs into the correct form. a) If I (have) a million euros, I (buy) an island. b) If we (live) in London, we (go) to the theatre more often. c) She (be) happier if she (not / have) so much homework.
- Complete with were or would. a) If I ___ you, I ___ apologise. b) If he ___ older, he ___ be allowed to drive.
Weiter
- Write type 2 sentences about these facts. a) I don't speak Spanish, so I can't understand the song. b) We don't have a garden, so we can't have a trampoline. c) It's raining, so we aren't playing outside.
- Give advice with If I were you, … for these problems. a) I'm always tired in the morning. b) I can't understand the maths homework.
Knobeln
- Answer the questions in full type 2 sentences. a) What would you do if you were the head teacher for one day? b) Where would you live if you could choose any city in the world? Why?
- Explain the difference in meaning: If I see Anna, I will tell her. and If I saw Anna, I would tell her.
Lösungen
- a) had, would buy b) lived, would go c) would be, didn't have
- a) were, would b) were, would
- a) If I spoke Spanish, I could understand the song. (also: I would understand) b) If we had a garden, we could have a trampoline. c) If it weren't raining, we would play outside. (also: If it wasn't raining …)
- For example: a) If I were you, I would go to bed earlier. b) If I were you, I would ask your teacher for help.
- For example: a) If I were the head teacher for one day, I would cancel all the tests and have a sports day. b) If I could choose any city, I would live in Vancouver because there are mountains and the sea.
- Type 1: The speaker thinks it is quite possible to see Anna, for example because they are in the same class. Type 2: The speaker thinks it is unlikely, for example because Anna lives far away.