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
They would recover more quickly if they'd received more government-to-government aid.
I would invest in the agricultural company if I thought the baseline projections were accurate.
Jason wouldn't agree to that behavioral objective if you gave him a choice.
She would have received the grant if she'd applied by the deadline.
Exception!
'Were' is often used for all subjects in the second conditional.
Example:
I would reset what's considered best practices if I could figure them out.
I would focus on grassroots connections and social media if I were running the campaign.
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:
She will recluse herself if she has a conflict of interest.
We will ignore the consultant if she doesn't tell us what we want to hear.
If something is not very possible or improbable, choose the second conditional.
Example:
She would have received the grant if she'd applied by the deadline.
Kevin wouldn't accept any kind of governance if it weren't self-governance.
Do not use a comma, when placing the result clause first.
George would inform the beneficiary if he arrived for the reading of the will.
She would have received the grant if she'd applied by the deadline.