Second Conditional: Giving Advice

If I were you, I would...

Examples

• If I were you, I'd apologise.

Key rules

• If I were you, I would + base verb gives advice
• Use were for all persons in this advice phrase
• Second conditional: if + past simple, would + base verb
• Never use would in the if-clause

Common mistakes

• If I was you, I will go → If I were you, I would go
• If I would be you → If I were you