Learn English with Ellen: Second Conditional

Into My Arms - Nick Cave

The second conditional is used to talk about ‘unreal’ or impossible things.

If I had a lot of money, I’d (would) buy a big house in the Maldives.
Where would you live if you could live anywhere in the world?
If you didn’t smoke so much, you’d (would) feel a lot better.

1. What’s the structure again? Fill in the structure in and note down your own example.

Conditional clause Main clause

2. Complete the sentences by putting the verbs into the correct form.

1. If I (believe) ______________ in an interventionist God, I (kneel down) _____________ and ask Him not to intervene.

2. If he (feel) _________ he (have to) _____________ direct you then direct you into my arms.

3. If I (believe) ___________ in the existence of angels, I (summon) _____________ them together.

3. Listen and match the words/expressions with their meanings.

1. interventionist

2. keep

3. watch over

4. direct

5. summon

6. intervene

7. path

8. evermore

9. pure

10. journey

a) to continue doing something

b) a way or track

c) to become involved

d) (negative) who likes to be involved

e) (formal) to order somebody to come to you

f) show the way

g) (formal) to take care of somebody

h) a trip

i) always in the future

j) morally good

4. Decide which parts of speech are the underlined words

noun (2), verb (1), phrasal verb (1), adjective (1), pronoun (1), preposition (2)

1. I don't believe in an interventionist God. _____________

2. But I know, darling, that you do. ___________

3. But if I did I would kneel down and ask Him. _____________

4. Then direct you into my arms. _______________

5. And I don't believe in the existence of angels but looking at you I wonder if that's true. ____________/____________

6. And I know that you do too. ____________

7. And I believe in some kind of path. ____________