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Second Conditional Progressive

English grammar materials provided by English4Today.com

Present Continuous Conditional

In type 2 conditional sentences, the continuous form of the present conditional may be used:

If I were a millionaire, I wouldn't be doing this job!

1. Present continuous conditional - form.

This form is composed of two elements: the present conditional of the verb 'to be' (would be) + the present participle of the main verb (base+ing).

Subject would be base+ing
He would be going
They would be living
Affirmative
We would be coming
Negative
You wouldn't be working
Interrogative
Would you be sharing?
Interrogative negative
Wouldn't they be playing?

Example: to live, Present continuous conditional.

Affirmative Negative Interrogative
I would be living I wouldn't be living Would I be living?
You would be living You wouldn't be living Would you be living?
He would be living She wouldn't be living Would he be living?
We would be living We wouldn't be living Would we be living?
You would be living You wouldn't be living Would you be living?
They would be living They wouldn't be living Would they be living?

2. Present continuous conditional - function

This form is common in Type 2 conditional sentences. It expresses an unfinished or continuing action or situation, which is the probable result of an unreal condition:

  • I would be working in Italy if I spoke Italian.
    (but I don't speak Italian, so I am not working in Italy.
  • She would be living with Jack if she wasn't living with her parents.
    (but she is living with her parents so she's not living with Jack).

More examples:

  • I wouldn't be eating this if I wasn't extremely hungry.
  • If I had an exam tomorrow, I'd be revising now.
  • You wouldn't be smiling if you knew the truth.

NOTE: This form is also found in: mixed conditional sentences (See section on Mixed Conditional Sentences); in indirect speech:

She said "I'll be working in the garden." — She said she would be working in the garden. (See section on Indirect Speech)

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Comments

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06:30 AM Nov 23 2009 | Reply

Amesmile

Cote D'Ivoire

I would be speaking english if I saw englishbaby earlier 

12:14 AM Nov 16 2009 | Reply

mr.polah

mr.polah

Indonesia

i would be going to  your home if u didnt came to my house..:D

09:36 AM Oct 23 2009 | Reply

MmLLoO

MmLLoO

Germany

OMG I wanna cry Surprised

04:57 AM Oct 11 2009 | Reply

303Kevin

303Kevin

China

Smile

12:47 PM Apr 09 2009 | Reply

Shugopy

Shugopy

Paraguay

I would be looking for a girlfriend if I wasn't busy with the college

06:41 PM Feb 14 2009 | Reply

SiyFf

Argentina

If i understood much better English languague ,  I wouldnt be browing by net,,

If you were more friendly with me, I would be helping you with that subject,,,

06:49 AM Feb 13 2009 | Reply

hazel26

hazel26

Philippines

I would be traveling around the world if I were rich.

I wouldn't be drinking if I were happy with my life.

I would be studying hard if I had an interview tomorrow.

If I had a date tomorrow, I'd be preparing now.

If I had a lot of money, I'd be helping the poor by now.

I wouldn't be praising GOD if he were unfair.

 

Surprisedoops i have a question..

Is it correct to say .. 'if she WASN't living with her parents…?

I thought we should use WERE even for the singular, instead of WAS, in the 'if' clause?

 Are there any excemptions?