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Intermediate English (B1) Lesson 15 - Second Conditional

Dream On

Listen to people share what they would do if they were rich.

Cheryl / Guam
speakerIf I had a million dollars what would I do? Well first, I would take a portion of that money and put it into savings. That way I would not be able to spend that moneylater. Secondly, I would probably take some money and go traveling around the world. I would do everything that I've always wanted to do on my to do list in life. And lastly I would give money to charities and churches and the rest would be given to my family and friends and everyone I love would be given an amazing present.

Jake / United States
speakerI would buy an expensive house on a tropical island somewhere and a yacht and I would buy a very, very nice car and a private jet. I don't know if a million dollars would buy all this stuff now. But I would just spend my days enjoying life.

Nydja / United States
speakerIf I won a million dollars I personally would ... I would probably quit work and apply to a better university. You need money to get into college in the states so that would really help me out. I think I'd definitely buy a new house, maybe not a huge mansion but I wouldn't be renting anymore that's for sure.

Jonathan / Canada
speakerIf I won a million dollars what would I do? I don't have the need to have any special large possessions such as a house or expensive car. I think that I would put the million dollars somewhere safe where there is no risk of anything, like the stock market, and I would live off the interest for the rest of my life. Even in a very safe circumstance, the return would probably be three or four percent being thirty or forty thousand dollars a year and I think that I could comfortably live off of that which would allow me to travel and see the places in the world that I haven't been to yet.

Mauro / Brazil
speakerWow! This question's really great. What would I do with a million dollars? Wow! I would probably invest all this money, but invest in my own businesses. These days I just think about making business, starting a business, so I just want to work for myself, so I would probably invest my money creating businesses and working for myself. It would be something really like that.

Nick / Australia
speakerA million dollars! If I won a million dollars, I'd go around the world. I haven't been to Africa and I'd really like to go. Secondly, I'd buy a really big house with a really big television. Then after, if I had any money left, I would invest. Maybe give some to my parents.

Second Conditional - Grammar Notes

Point 1: The second conditional refers to the future, when there is little chance of the action happening.
  • What would you do if you won the lottery?
  • I would quit my job. What would you do?
  • I would move to the beach.
  • I would do that too if I could swim!
Point 2: The 'if' clause can start the sentence or come at the end of the independent clause.
  1. I would be very happy if I saw a full eclipse.
  2. If I saw a full eclipse, I would be very happy.
  3. If I were tall, I would try out for the basketball team.
  4. I would try out for the basketball team if I were tall.
Point 3: Instead of would in affirmative sentences, you can use 'd instead.
  1. I'd be very happy if I saw a full eclipse.
  2. If you saved your money, you'd be rich.
  3. If they came to class more often, they'd pass.
  4. If we practiced more, we'd be pretty good.
Point 4: We can use 'could' instead of 'would'.
  1. I could travel the world if I were a billionaire.
  2. If I spoke Spanish, I could work in Costa Rica.
  3. If you tried harder, you could get an A in the class.
  4. If you saved your money, you could afford to travel.
Answer the following questions about the interview.

Begginer A1 Conversations as listening lessons with natural English for ESL students.
Begginer A2 Conversations as listening lessons with natural English for ESL students.
Begginer B1 Conversations as listening lessons with natural English for ESL students.

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