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
An environmentalist wouldn't buy packaged snacks if the grocery sold the same snacks without packaging.
I would give away comps if I were in charge of marketing the concert.
A tomato would be a vegetable if Ronald Reagan were God.
The room rates would be lower if I were the director of the hotel.
Exception!
'Were' is often used for all subjects in the second conditional.
Example:
I would hire a wait person if I were the owner of the restaurant.
I would hire a new executive chef if I were in charge of hiring.
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:
What will they do if the decoration is ugly?
The food cost invoices will arrive on Monday if we mail them tonight.
If something is not very possible or improbable, choose the second conditional.
Example:
An environmentalist wouldn't buy packaged snacks if the grocery sold the same snacks without packaging.
A tomato would be a vegetable if Ronald Reagan were God.
Do not use a comma, when placing the result clause first.
He would make a larger commission if he were to reorganize his leads.
Amusement parks would gain customers if the rides were more exciting.