CONDITIONAL TYPE 2

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 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

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)