Class 27-1: Continuous Conditionals
He is running a relay race.
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Definition: The continuous conditional is an action that continues for a length of time. (Example 1) You should know the continuous verbs (progressive tense) from the previous chapters. Conditional + Continuous is used to discuss unreal or imaginary situations that continue for a length of time. Note: it is called unreal because it is not likely or possible the action will happen. |
Examples: 1. He is running a marathon. *Running is the continuous verb. 2. If I were running a marathon, I would be practicing today. *Running is the continuous verb. 3. If I were moving to Nepal, I would have a going away party. *Moving is the continuous verb. |
Continued
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Rules: Present Unreal Conditional + Continuous: Present unreal conditional + continuous is used to discuss imaginary or unreal actions that could be currently happening. |
Examples: 1. If the teacher is still teaching, I would raise my hand and ask a question. 2. If the janitor is still cleaning, I would ask him to empty your garbage can. |
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Past Unreal Conditional + Continuous: Past unreal conditional + continuous is used to discuss imaginary or unreal actions happening in the past. |
1. If I had been at the party, I would have seen the girl I liked. 2. If he had been studying, he would have passed the test. |
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Future Unreal Conditional + Continuous: Future unreal conditional + continuous is used to discuss imaginary or unreal actions happening in the future. |
1. If I were going to the concert tomorrow, I would not be sad. 2. If I were running in the race tomorrow, I would go and practice this afternoon. |
“If I had been exercising, I would not have gotten so out-of-shape.”
Exercise
Exercise 1: Underline the correct continuous conditional form for each sentence.
1. She is (drive / driving / will drive) down the street.
2. If Ann is still (watch / watched / watching) television, I would (ask / asked / asking) her to help you.
3. If Tom is (do / doing / done) his homework, I would (ask / asked / asking) him to help you with yours.
4. If Jennifer is (practice / practiced / practicing) for the marathon, I would (practice / practiced / practicing) with her.
5. If she had been (pay / paid / paying) attention in class, she would (have / has / had) gotten an “A” on her test.
6. If the dog (have / has / had) been at home, he could have (stop / stopped / stopping) the thief from coming in the house.
7. If Mike had been (listen / listened / listening), he would have (hear / hearing / heard) the teacher give the directions.
8. If I were (study / studying / studied) English in the United States, I would (quit / quitting) my job tomorrow.
9. If I were (make / making / made) a lot of money, I would (buy / buying / bought) a big house for my family and myself.
10. If I were (speak / speaking / spoken) English, I would try and (ask / asked / asking) my boss for more money.
