Beyonce is a style icon, singer, dancer, artist, designer, and feminist . . . but did you know that she is also an excellent grammar teacher? Today we are looking at her song “If I Were A Boy” and how it properly uses the Second Conditional.
Conditionals are expressions with “if.” Some of them are real situations; for example, “If it rains, I will bring an umbrella.” This is an example of the First Conditional. For more information on the First Conditional, click here.
Some conditionals, however, are situations that are not real and never will be. For these situations, we use the Second Conditional. The Second Conditional uses the following construction:
[if + subject + SIMPLE PAST verb] + [subject + might/could/would + base verb]
Examples include:
- If I had a million dollars, I might buy a really expensive car.
- If I lived on the beach, I would go swimming every day!
- If I became president, I could meet a lot of famous world leaders.
The song “If I Were A Boy” illustrates an interesting rule related to the Second Conditional: when using the “be” verb, we use “were” and not “was,” even for the first person. For example:
- If I were you, I would take the CAE exam and not the TOEFL.
- If I were German, I would speak German.
- Beyonce’s song: “If I were a boy, I’d …”
This irregular use of the “be” verb is often misunderstood by English speakers . . . even native English speakers! But Beyonce’s song properly uses this conditional, making it a perfect example of how to properly use this grammar point. Listen to the song (the video is provided below) while you read the lyrics. Pay attention to the hypothetical situations that Beyonce uses to talk about what she would do if she were a boy. The examples of the Second Conditional are in bold.
“If I Were A Boy”
If I were a boy
Even just for a day
I’d roll outta bed in the morning
And throw on what I wanted and go
Drink beer with the guys
And chase after girls
I’d kick it with who I wanted
And I’d never get confronted for it.
‘Cause they’d stick up for me.[Chorus]
If I were a boy
I think I could understand
How it feels to love a girl
I swear I’d be a better man.
I’d listen to her
‘Cause I know how it hurts
When you lose the one you wanted
‘Cause he’s taken you for granted
And everything you had got destroyed[Verse]
If I were a boy
I would turn off my phone
Tell everyone it’s broken
So they’d think that I was sleepin’ alone
I’d put myself first
And make the rules as I go
‘Cause I know that she’d be faithful
Waitin’ for me to come home (to come home)[Chorus]
If I were a boy
I think I could understand
How it feels to love a girl
I swear I’d be a better man.
I’d listen to her
‘Cause I know how it hurts
When you lose the one you wanted
‘Cause he’s taken you for granted
And everything you had got destroyed[Bridge]
It’s a little too late for you to come back
Say it’s just a mistake
Think I’d forgive you like that
If you thought I would wait for you
You thought wrong[Chorus 2]
But you’re just a boy
You don’t understand
Yeah, you don’t understand, oh
How it feels to love a girl someday
You wish you were a better man
You don’t listen to her
You don’t care how it hurts
Until you lose the one you wanted
‘Cause you’ve taken her for granted
And everything you had got destroyed
But you’re just a boy
If you would like to learn more about English Conditionals, click on the following links: