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B1Song 09Intermediate3:09

Second Conditional Song

If I Had the Money...

Second conditional: if + past simple, then would + verb, for situations that aren't true now or aren't likely. Learn it in one song. Level B1 (intermediate), for teenagers and adults learning English.

If + past simple

The condition (not true now)

“If I won the lottery…”

Would + verb

The imagined result

“…I'd quit my job on Monday!”

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Chapters

  1. 0:00Intro
  2. 0:10Chorus: if + past simple, then would
  3. 0:30Money and work: lottery, boss, Fridays off
  4. 0:49Chorus
  5. 1:09Dating and advice: if I were you
  6. 1:28Chorus
  7. 1:48Questions and negatives: what would you do?
  8. 2:06The rule: after if, past simple, never would
  9. 2:18Final chorus
  10. 2:37Outro: see you again

Also on YouTube.

Lyrics · click a line to play it

Intro

0:01: play Intro

What would you do if you had more time? I'd sing all day!

Chorus

0:09: play Chorus

If I had the money, if I had the time, (If + past simple)

I would take a flight tonight, I'd be with you by nine! (Would + verb)

After if, the past simple, but it isn't really true, (If + past simple)

Then would plus the verb, that's what I would do! (Would + verb)

Verse 1 · Money and work

0:29: play Verse 1 · Money and work

If + past simple → would + verb: not true now, or not likely

If I won the lottery, if I had a million pounds, (If + past simple)

I'd quit my job on Monday, and I'd buy a house in town! (Would + verb)

If I were your boss, if I ran this company, (If + past simple)

You would never work on Fridays, and the coffee would be free! (Would + verb)

Chorus

0:48: play Chorus

If I had the money, if I had the time, (If + past simple)

I would take a flight tonight, I'd be with you by nine! (Would + verb)

After if, the past simple, but it isn't really true, (If + past simple)

Then would plus the verb, that's what I would do! (Would + verb)

Verse 2 · Dating and advice

1:08: play Verse 2 · Dating and advice

If I were you, I'd … · were for I, he, she and it too

If I had your number, if I weren't so shy, (If + past simple)

I would ask you out to dinner and look you in the eye! (Would + verb)

If I were you and your ex called late at night, (If + past simple)

I wouldn't answer the phone, I'd just turn off the light! (Would + verb)

Chorus

1:27: play Chorus

If I had the money, if I had the time, (If + past simple)

I would take a flight tonight, I'd be with you by nine! (Would + verb)

After if, the past simple, but it isn't really true, (If + past simple)

Then would plus the verb, that's what I would do! (Would + verb)

Verse 3 · Questions and negatives

1:47: play Verse 3 · Questions and negatives

What would you do if …? · If I didn't …, I'd never …

If you found a wallet full of cash in the street, (If + past simple)

What would you do? I'd hand it in to the police! (Would + verb)

If I spoke perfect Spanish, if I didn't have this flat, (If + past simple)

I would move to Barcelona, and I'd never come back! (Would + verb)

Bridge · The rule

2:05: play Bridge · The rule

After if → past simple, never would · The result → would + verb

After if? Past simple! If I had, if I knew! (If + past simple)

The result? Would plus verb! I would call, I'd text you! (Would + verb)

Final chorus

2:17: play Final chorus

If I had the money, if I had the time, (If + past simple)

I would take a flight tonight, I'd be with you by nine! (Would + verb)

After if, the past simple, but it isn't really true, (If + past simple)

Then would plus the verb, that's what I would do! (Would + verb)

Outro · See you again

2:35: play Outro · See you again

If I were your teacher, you'd all pass!

If I were your teacher, if you were in my class, (If + past simple)

I would play this every morning, and you would all pass! (Would + verb)

The grammar

Second Conditional

If + past simple

the condition · not true now, or not likely

Use it when: the condition (not true now).

From the song

  • If I won the lottery, if I had a million pounds,
  • If I were your boss, if I ran this company,
  • If I had your number, if I weren't so shy,
  • If I were you and your ex called late at night,

Would + verb

the result · I'd, you'd, wouldn't

Use it when: the imagined result.

From the song

  • I'd quit my job on Monday, and I'd buy a house in town!
  • You would never work on Fridays, and the coffee would be free!
  • I would ask you out to dinner and look you in the eye!
  • I wouldn't answer the phone, I'd just turn off the light!

Step by step through the song

  1. Money and work

    ▶ 0:29

    If + past simple → would + verb: not true now, or not likely

  2. Dating and advice

    ▶ 1:08

    If I were you, I'd … · were for I, he, she and it too

  3. Questions and negatives

    ▶ 1:47

    What would you do if …? · If I didn't …, I'd never …

  4. The rule

    ▶ 2:05

    After if → past simple, never would · The result → would + verb

  5. See you again

    ▶ 2:35

    If I were your teacher, you'd all pass!

Practice

Test yourself

The condition after if, or the imagined result? Choose the form that fits.

  1. 1.If I the lottery, I'd quit my job on Monday!

  2. 2.If I won the lottery, I my job on Monday!

  3. 3.If I your boss, you would never work on Fridays!

  4. 4.If I had your number, I you out to dinner.

  5. 5.If I you, I wouldn't answer the phone.

  6. 6.If I were you and your ex called late at night, I the phone.

  7. 7.If you a wallet full of cash in the street, what would you do?

  8. 8.If I perfect Spanish, I would move to Barcelona!

0 of 8 answered

More practice with this songHear Remi sing a line, type the missing words, then check the answers and explanations.Second Conditional exercises

Your turn

What would you do if you won the lottery?

Answer with the second conditional: if + past simple, then would:"If I won the lottery, I'd travel the world!"

Answer in the YouTube comments

Keep singing

3:08
B1Song 01

Irregular Verbs

36 Verbs Grouped by Sound

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3:36
B1Song 02

Present Perfect vs Past Simple

Have You Ever...?

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3:16
B1Song 03

Irregular Verbs Part 2

36 More Verbs by Sound

Watch and sing along