Type 2 conditional - Continuous Conditional

PRESENT CONTINUOUS CONDITIONAL

 

1. Present continuous conditional - form

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!
 

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
They		 would be
would be		 going
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

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).
  • 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.
  • If I were in Hawaii, I would be lying on the beach.
    But I am not in Hawaii.
  • If my grandfather were here, he would be talking about the war.
    But he is not here.
  • I would be rafting down the Colorado River right now if my leg weren't broken.
    But my leg is broken, so I am not there.


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)

Present Unreal Conditional + Continuous

FORM

If-clause: [were + present participle]

Result: [would be + present participle]

USE

Present Unreal Conditional + Continuous is used to discuss imaginary situations which could be happening at this very moment.

Examples in the if-clause:

  • If the sun were shining, I would go to the beach.
    Unfortunately, it is raining so I can't go.
  • If Sam were sitting here, we would be able to ask him the question ourselves.
    But Sam is not sitting here. He is somewhere else.
  • We would be able to go sailing if the wind were blowing.
    But there is no wind, so we can't go sailing.