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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