Conditional Overview with Examples (Part 7)

Past Unreal Conditional + Continuous

USE

Past Unreal Conditional + Continuous is used to discuss imaginary situations happening at a very specific time in the past or over a period of time in the past.

NOTICE As in the examples above, sometimes the continuous form is in the “If” Clause and sometimes it is in the Result. The sentences below have been labelled to help remind you where the continuous form is being used.

EXAMPLES:

If I had been talking to him when he said that, I would have punched him in the face. IF CLAUSE

(But I wasn't talking to him when he said that)

If he had been standing near the house when the wall collapsed, it would have killed him. IF CLAUSE

(Luckily he moved away before the wall fell)

If you had gone to his house last night, he would have been sitting on his couch in front of the TV. RESULT

(But you didn't go to his house, so you didn't see what he was doing)

If she had missed her train, he would have been waiting for her at the station for hours. RESULT

(Luckily, she caught her train and he didn't have to wait)

NOTICE Past Unreal Conditional + Continuous can be used like the Past Continuous in imaginary situations to emphasize interruptions or parallel actions in the past.

EXAMPLES:

If James had been crossing the street when the car ran the red light, it would have hit him. IF CLAUSE

If Tom had been studying while Becky was making dinner, he would have finished his homework early and they could have gone to the movie.

IF CLAUSE

If James hadn't stopped to tie his shoe, he would have been crossing the street when the car ran the red light. RESULT

If you had gone to their house last night, Bob would have been reading the news paper, Nancy would have been talking on the phone and the kids would have been watching TV. They always do the same things. RESULT

NOTICE Past Unreal Conditional + Continuous can be used like Present Perfect Continuous or Past Perfect Continuous in imaginary situations to emphasize a duration of time.

EXAMPLES:

Scott said he had been studying Greek for more than five years. If he had been studying the language that long, I think he would have been able to interpret for us at the airport. IF CLAUSE

Sarah claimed she had been waiting in the rain for more than twenty minutes by the time we arrived, but she wasn't even wet. If she had been waiting that long, I think she would have been totally drenched by the time we arrived. IF CLAUSE

Terry's plane arrived ahead of schedule. If I hadn't decided to go to the airport early, she would have been waiting there for more than twenty minutes before I arrived. RESULT

At the travel agency yesterday, I waited for more than an hour for somebody to help me. Finally, I got up and left. If I hadn't decided to leave, I would have been sitting there forever. RESULT