If I were a boy...
Beyonce teaches us the
Second Conditional

Beyonce's hit, "If I were a Boy" is not just a great tune (song) to listen to on your way to work. It is a super example of how to use the second conditional.

Make learning English fun and easy...by listening to your favorite songs. The Bare naked ladies' song, "If I had a Million Dollars", as well as"If I were a Boy", both speak about a hypothetical situation and how it would be.

Beyonce is not a man (boy) but she speaks about what she would do and how she would be if she were. 

Listen and watch her video here, and then read along with the lyrics I have provided. Afterwards you can explore some of the phrasal verbs found in the song.

"If I were a Boy" by Beyonce Knowles: Lyrics

Intimacy
Honesty
commitment
You
Me
Us

If I were a boy
Even just for a day
I’d roll outta* bed in the morning *out of
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

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

It’s a little too late for you to come back
Say its just a mistake
Think I’d forgive you like that
If you thought I would wait for you
You thought wrong

You know when you act like that.
I don't think you realize how it makes me look, or feel.
Act like what?
Why are you so jealous?
It's not like I'm sleeping with the guy.
What?
What
I said yo, why you so jealous?
It ain't like I'm sleeping with the girl.

But you’re just a boy
You don’t understand
Yeah you don’t understand
How it feels to love a girl someday
You'd 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 have got destroyed
But you’re just a boy

Phrasal Verbs

1)Throw on

2)Chase after

3)Stick up

4)Turn off

5)Kick it isn't a phrasal verb, but what does it mean?

Here are the answers. Try to match the phrasal verb with the correct definition.

Look at the phrasal verbs in the context of the song to see if you can understand their meanings.

A) To stop something operating by disengaging a switch
B) To relax and be comfortable with others.
C) Is a quicker version of "put on". For example...putting on clothing but more quickly or without care.
D) To defend against attack or criticism
E) To pursue with the intent to catch

For the answers scroll down to the bottom of the page.

Do you understand the theory of the second conditional? 

For a more in depth explanation and another song example click here.

I have explained the phrasal verbs in this song to you, but there might be something else that confuses you or that you don't quite understand. 

Phrasal Verb answers:

A) TURN OFF: To stop something operating by disengaging a switch

B) KICK IT: To relax and be comfortable with others.

C) THROW ON: Is a quicker version of "put on". For example...putting on clothing but more quickly or without care.

D) STICK UP FOR: To defend against attack or criticism

E) CHASE AFTER: To pursue with the intent to catch

Learn more with MUSIC

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