The second conditional describes an imaginary, impossible or unlikely situation in the present or future. The situation is unreal or hypothetical. The condition takes the past simple tense to reflect a distance from reality but the time is NOT in the past. When we use the verb "to be" as a main verb, the tense is the past simple, subjunctive mood and not the usual indicative mood. The structure of the result part of the sentence is: subject + would + the base form of the verb. "would" is a type of modal. We can use other modals in the second conditional, such as "might" and "could". I explain their meaning with clear examples in this video. ESL students often ask the question: "What is the difference between the first conditional and the second conditional?" - Well I answer that question with a clear example and explanation. The accent is a British English accent. Here are some other related English lessons: Videos: Past simple tense: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0Ri3QTT41f8 Hear and listen vocabulary: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LBDULF2F6cM Playlists: All English conditionals :    • Conditionals in English grammar   Grammar:    • learn English grammar   General advice:    • How to improve your English   Listening practice:    • English listening practice   Vocabulary:    • learn English vocabulary   Private English lessons & speaking practice: http://goo.gl/YjZXpT Andrew, Crown Academy of English http://www.crownacademyenglish.com/ https://twitter.com/Crown_English null Photo credits: “Professional Business Executive” Image courtesy of stockimages | FreeDigitalPhotos.net “Portrait Of A Businesswoman” Image courtesy of stockimages | FreeDigitalPhotos.net “Stylish Portrait Of Handsome Businessman” Image courtesy of stockimages | FreeDigitalPhotos.net “Business Women Pointing” Image courtesy of photostock | FreeDigitalPhotos.net “Young Businesswoman” Image courtesy of photostock | FreeDigitalPhotos.net "Woman Hearing Something" Image courtesy of Ohmega1982 | FreeDigitalPhotos.net "Teenager Girl With Opened Notebook" Image courtesy of imagerymajestic | FreeDigitalPhotos.net