What Would Happen?
Second Conditional
The second, or 'unreal', conditional is used for improbable situations that are purely hypothetical. Use the second conditional when imagining various situations.
'If' clause - past simple + , + result clause - would + verb (conditional tense)
Examples of Unreal Situations
He would happily take a decision if the bank credit were encouraging.
How would you compile the minutes of a meeting if you were secretary?
What would you do if your balance sheet didn't add up?
Arthur would not be happy if you demanded earnest money from him.
Exception!
'Were' is often used for all subjects in the second conditional.
Example:
I would fulfill the customer's requirements much faster if I were better equipped technologically.
I would hire Jack if I were sure the closing costs were low.
Differences Between First and Second Conditional
The choice between the first or second conditional is often based on the probability of a given situation. If something is truly possible, choose the first conditional.
Example:
The landlord will accept a letter of credit if that's the best we can do on short notice.
The customer will always have to pay a hefty fee if they have a bounced check.
If something is not very possible or improbable, choose the second conditional.
Example:
What would you do if the boss were to ask you to shred the minutes of a meeting?
The customer wouldn't pay using the payment order if you didn't inform him.
Do not use a comma, when placing the result clause first.
I would purchase those securities if I had a letter of credit.
He would happily take a decision if the bank credit were encouraging.