Lesson
The Canadian rock group “The Barenaked Ladies” had a popular song called “If I Had A Million Dollars.” While I personally think that the Barenaked Ladies are a horrible rock band, this song is an excellent way to practice the second conditional. As the song says: “If I had a million dollars, I would buy your love.” This provides a quick review of the second conditional, which is simple in English and never changes.
Here's the format:
If + Subject + past simple + noun + subject + would + verb + noun
If + I + had + a million dollars + I + would + buy + your love.
Let’s practice. What would you do if you had a million dollars? (or pounds or euros or yen or drachmas?)
Would you give the money to charity?
Would you build a house in the country?
Would you buy a flat (condo in North American English) in the city?
If I had a million dollars, I would buy a big house.
If my mother had a million dollars, she would give it to the poor.
If Dave had a million dollars, he would buy a big boat.
If Karla had a million dollars, she would travel.
If you had a million dollars, what would you do?
