[Grammar] Second conditional in English- Correct usage

[harry1999]

I am confused about the second conditional in English. I have just had a look at these sites.

English Conditionals: Second Conditional - Articles - UsingEnglish.com
Second Conditional (2nd Conditional) - Glossary Definition - UsingEnglish.com

and

ENGLISH PAGE - Past Conditionals

On the first two sites it's given that this conditional rule is applied when the situations are unreal/imaginary, but on the third site it's totally different one.

Can you tell me the correct use of second conditional in English?

These are some expamples:

>>If you had a good time with ABC hotel, ring the bell.

>>If interested, apply for this job.

>>If you didn't register for a BBC ID then somebody else may type in your email address by accident. If this has happened you can ignore this email.

>>Forgive me If was wrong.

Can anyone clear my confusion?. What do above sentences mean? Please explain it to me.

Helpful responses would be appreciated.

 

[5jj]

English Conditionals: Second Conditional - Articles - UsingEnglish.com[/URL]
Second Conditional (2nd Conditional) - Glossary Definition - UsingEnglish.com

and

ENGLISH PAGE - Past Conditionals

On the first two sites it's given that this conditional rule is applied when the situations are unreal/imaginary, but on the third site it's totally different one.

The third site is not talking about the second conditional.

Can you tell me the correct use of second conditional in English?

Those sites covered it reasonably.

These are some examples:

1. If you had a good time with ABC hotel, ring the bell.
2. If interested, apply for this job.
3. If you didn't register for a BBC ID then somebody else may type in your email address by accident. If this has happened you can ignore this email.
4. Forgive me If was wrong.

#1 to #4 are not second conditionals.

The second conditional generally consists of an if + past tense clause and a clause containing a modal verb:

5. If I had a lot of money, I wouldn't be living in this dump.
6. If my father took us America next month, I might be able to visit you in New York.

In #5, we have an unreal present situation, in #6 we have a not very likely future situation. - classic second conditionals.

In #1, it is possible that 'you' had a good time.
In #2, it is possible that 'you' are interested.
in #3 it is possible that 'you' didn't register.
in #4. It is possible that 'I' was wrong.

When we are dealing with past possibilities, we cannot use second conditionals; as I noted above, we use these for present unreal, and future unlikely, possibilities.

 

[harry1999]

@fivejedjon


Thanks! Really helped.

 

[5jj]

I have looked more deeeply at conditionals, rather boringly, here:

http://www.gramorak.com/Articles/Conditionals.pdf
http://www.gramorak.com/Articles/If.pdf