Second conditional is also known as unreal statements because they express things that are not likely to happen.

Apuntes

• Second Conditional: Unreal Statements The second conditional is also known as unreal statements because it expresses situations that are not likely to happen. For example: "If I were the president, I would eliminate taxes." or "If you were younger, I wouldn't be your friend." The main clause is in the conditional tense, and the "if" clause is in the past tense. This form of past tense is called the subjunctive and it expresses impossibility. For example: "If I were you," which uses the subjunctive (unreal past), and "I would eat that cake," which is in the conditional tense ("would" + verb). Because we use the subjunctive, we include "were" when referring to the pronouns I, she, he, and it. For example: "If I were you, I would be very happy." or "If she were older, she wouldn't need permission." • Subtopic: Example - Melting Polar Caps If the Polar Caps melt... --- • Crazy Experiments: First Conditional (may / can) First conditionals with "may" or "can" give a condition to obtain permission or to express what may happen. For example: "If you finish your work early, you may go." or "If you don’t wear sunscreen, you may get skin cancer." "Can" is used in a similar way, a...