Table of Contents
Conditional Progressive
The conditional progressive, also called the conditional continuous tense, refers to an imaginary or hypothetical situation that puts emphasis on the course of action.
Form
Would + be + present participle (verb + ing) |
---|
NOTE: present participle = verb + ing (e.g. playing, writing, driving…)
The modal “would” can be replaced with could, might and should:
- could be doing
- might be doing
- should be doing
Affirmative
I would be traveling around the world
Interrogative
Would you be watching the match?
Negative
I wouldn’t be sleeping all day long?
Use
- Conditional progressive is used for imaginary situations that might take place if the present circumstances were different.
- It puts emphasis on the course of an action.
- It is used in the main clause of conditional sentences type II.
Examples
- If he had a lot of money, he would be traveling around the world.
- If I were free, I would be watching the movie.
- If the music were better, everybody would be dancing.
- I would be having a good time if I met my friends.
The conditional sentences type II structure is as follows:
If + simple past…, + conditional progressive (would + verb + ing) |
Conditional progressive (would + verb + ing) + if + Simple past |
Example: to work in the Conditional Continuous Tense.
Affirmative | Negative | Interrogative |
---|---|---|
I would be working | I wouldn’t be working | Would I be working? |
You would be working | You wouldn’t be working | Would you be working? |
He/She/It would be working | He/She/It wouldn’t be working | Would he/she/it be working? |
We would be working | We wouldn’t be working | Would we be working? |
You would be working | You wouldn’t be working | Would you be working? |
They would be working | They wouldn’t be working | Would they be working? |
Example Sentences With The Conditional Continuous Tense
- If I won the lottery, I would be traveling around the world right now.
- She would be speaking fluent French if she had taken those language classes.
- If it weren’t raining, we would be having a picnic in the park.
- They would be enjoying the concert if they had bought tickets in advance.
- He would be playing football with his friends if he wasn’t injured.
- If the traffic weren’t so heavy, we would be arriving at the party by now.
- I would be studying for the exam if I didn’t have to work late tonight.
- If he had the necessary ingredients, he would be baking a cake for the celebration.
- She would be wearing a coat if it were colder outside.
- We would be watching a movie right now if the power hadn’t gone out.
- If they were available, I would be booking tickets for the show.
- He would be helping you move if he didn’t have a prior commitment.
- If I had a car, I would be driving to the beach every weekend.
- She would be participating in the marathon if she had trained for it.
- If the weather were better, we would be having a barbecue in the backyard.
More on conditional sentences here.
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