Lesson 81 — Ethical Choices

Ethical Choices — Second Conditional

In this lesson you talk about **ethical choices** using the **second conditional**: **What would you do if …?** — **if + past simple**, **would + verb**.

• What would you do if …? / Who would you call if …?
• if + past simple → would + verb
• If I were you … (were, not was)
• I'd / we'd — put yourself in her shoes
• First conditional: if + present → will (real situations)

Imagine everyday situations: you find money, a restaurant undercharges you, or a waiter forgets to charge for dessert.

• What would you do if the waiter didn't charge you for the dessert?
• What would you do if you found a wallet on the street?
• Who would you call if you were sick?
• What would you do if the sales assistant gave you too much change?
• What would you do if they gave you more than you ordered?

**I would → I'd** — **we would → we'd**

• A: Where would you go if you wanted a great meal?
• B: Look at this. They didn't charge us for the dessert.
• A: Really? I think we'd better tell the waiter.
• B: You think so?
• A: Absolutely. If we didn't tell him, it would be wrong.

**If + past simple**, **would + base verb** — hypothetical now or future. In Persian you often use the present; in English the **if-clause uses past tense**.

• If I found a wallet, I would try to return it.
• If I had to make a hard decision, I would try to do the right thing.
• If she knew French, she would help them.
• If I broke something in a store, I would pay for it.
• If you were Matt, would you help them?
• If you were my friend, I wouldn't lie to you.

• If I did this, I would do that.
• If I did this, I wouldn't do that.
• If I did this, would you do that?

When **I** comes after **if**, use **were** (not was): **If I were you**, I would buy that car. / **If I were you**, I wouldn't buy that car.

• I couldn't face myself. (I'd be ashamed of myself.)
• Put yourself in her shoes. (Imagine you are her.)
• I tried to put myself in their shoes.
• They gave me too much change.
• They gave me more than I ordered.

Real and likely situations use **if + present**, **will + verb** (first conditional):

• If you don't tell the clerk, she will have to pay for it.
• If you don't study hard, you will fail the exam.