Note that in the second conditional, we use were with all subjects. Was is also possible, but most grammarians still insist that were should be used.

• If I were the manager, I would dismiss him. OR If I was the manager, I would dismiss him.

More examples are given below.

• If I had $10,000 I would buy a car.
• If I bought a car, I would go on long drives.
• If I went on long drives, I would meet interesting people.
• If she worked hard, you would do well on her tests.
• If she did well on her tests, she would enter a good university.
• If she graduated from a good university, she would get a good job.
• If she got a good job, she would make a lot of money.
• If she made a lot of money, she would help the poor and the needy.

Third Conditional

The third conditional is used to talk about unreal past situations. In the third conditional, we use a past perfect tense in the if-clause and would have + past participle in the result clause.

• If I had known his motive, I would not have trusted him.
• If she had been more beautiful, I would have married her.
• If you had repaid the loan, they would not have confiscated your property.
• If she had asked politely, I would have bought her a drink.

Note that the if-clause can come before or after the main clause.

• I would have bought her a drink if she had asked more politely.