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Third Conditional Progressive

Perfect conditional, continuous - Form

This tense is composed of two elements: the perfect condtional of the verb 'to be' (would have been) + the present participle (base+ing).

Subject would have been base+ing
I would have been sitting
We would have been swimming
Affirmative
I would have been studying.
Negative
You wouldn't have been living.
Interrogative
Would we have been travelling?
Interrogative negative
Wouldn't it have been working?

Examples: to work, Past continuous conditional

Affirmative Negative
I would have been working I wouldn't have been working
You would have been working You wouldn't have been working.
He would have been working She wouldn't have been working
We would have been working We wouldn't have been working
You would have been working You wouldn't have been working
They would have been working They wouldn't have been working
Interrogative Interrogative negative
Would I have been working? Wouldn't I have been working?
Would you have been working? Wouldn't you have been working?
Would he have been working? Wouldn't she have been working?
Would we have been working? Wouldn't we have been working?
Would you have been working? Wouldn't you have been working?
Would they have been working? Wouldn't they have been working?

Function

This tense can be used in Type 3 conditional sentences. It refers to the unfulfilled result of the action in the if-clause, and expresses this result as an unfinished or continuous action. Again, there is always an unspoken "but.." phrase:

  • If the weather had been better (but it wasn't), I'd have been sitting in the garden when he arrived (but I wasn't and so I didn't see him).
  • If she hadn't got a job in London (but she did), she would have been working in Paris (but she wasn't).

Examples:

  • If I'd had a ball I would have been playing football.
  • If I'd had any money I'd have been drinking with my friends in the pub that night.
  • If I had known it was dangerous I wouldn't have been climbing that cliff.
  • She wouldn't have been wearing a seat-belt if her father hadn't told her to.

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Third Conditional Progressive Grammar Quiz

  1. If I hadn't procrastinated on the English paper, I would have been on the beach last weekend.

  2. I could have been "Inglorious Basterds" now, if the storm hadn't caused the power outage in the theater.

  3. If Lisa had married him, they'd together in Ghana.

  4. I could've Pina Coladas in Mexico now if the bank robbery hadn't gotten me arrested.

  5. The band would have played an awesome set if the lead singer hadn't a sore throat.

Go Super to see the answers! Go Super!

Third Conditional Progressive Lessons:

Caroling

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Comments

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lizaolamaribel@yahoo.comSuper Member!

United States

If I had listed to my friend when she told me not to drive . I would not have been inbolved in the accident

07:48 PM Apr 05 2018 |

Fiary

Fiary

Iran, Islamic Republic Of

If i had been told about  hassles of this trip, i wouldnot even  have been  thinking about it .


10:29 AM Feb 06 2013 |

Irene Forever

Ukraine

If I had been more fearless in my school years, I would have become a surgeon by now, and would have been performing an operation now.

12:33 PM Jul 03 2012 |

weah44

weah44

Sudan

i  would have  been  toper  in  my  class  if  i  didn’t  procrastinated  in  exams 


thanks  i  like  the  lesson 

09:57 PM Sep 04 2011 |

FarryKhan786@yahoo.com

Afghanistan

I would have been failed in my objectives if I hadn’t worked hard to achieve it.

09:04 PM Sep 04 2011 |

Olaniyan Opeyemi

Nigeria

I would have been a english novice if english baby is not there. Thanks a lots to english baby.

06:04 AM Feb 01 2011 |

EnglishUser

Costa Rica

I like this topic, I really think you have been able to teach us a complex grammar in a very good and clear way.

03:37 PM Dec 11 2010 |

wehel Amir

wehel Amir

Somalia

if i’d had a car,i would have been staying tonight

03:37 AM Oct 15 2010 |

Jodikl

France

If I hadn't met my boyfriend I would have been living in New York

07:23 AM Sep 14 2010 |

magbol

magbol

Saudi Arabia

i wish speak english very well and hope evry one life good

11:09 AM Aug 25 2010 |