The second conditional talks about the result of an unlikely event or something untrue being true. The unlikely event or untrue thing is in the if-clause.
- If you became an insomniac, you would understand.
(if-clause/unlikely event/If you became an insomniac – the result of an unlikely event/you would understand) - If I met the King, I would invite him for tea and biscuits.
- If I were Karen, I would buy that house.
(untrue/If I were Karen – result/I would buy that house) - She would travel all over the world if she were rich.
Common mistakes with conditionals.
