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
I would invest in the agricultural company if I thought the baseline projections were accurate.
I would outsource to a best-in-class business if I were the marketing manager.
Where would you fall on this bell-shaped curve if you lost ten pounds?
Kevin wouldn't accept any kind of governance if it weren't self-governance.
Exception!
'Were' is often used for all subjects in the second conditional.
Example:
I would focus on grassroots connections and social media if I were running the campaign.
I would reset what's considered best practices if I could figure them out.
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:
We might hire a new facilitator if we get no closer to conflict resolution.
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 be more concerned with reaching the benchmark if she thought it was a realistic goal.
Jason wouldn't agree to that behavioral objective if you gave him a choice.
Do not use a comma, when placing the result clause first.
She would have received the grant if she'd applied by the deadline.
They would recover more quickly if they'd received more government-to-government aid.