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Xeno Posted 16 years ago
Grammar

Is this conditional sentence correct?

Hello, everyone. Here is the sentence:

If Edison hadn't invented the electric light bulb, we'd still be using candles.

This is from my English test at school. I know I got the right type of conditional but what interests me is whether this construction "would be using" instead of just "would use" is okay and grammatically correct.
  

Top answer

I see nothing wrong with it beyond it's silly conclusion. I think the existing tense choice is more appropriate than your suggested replacement, no offence intended. , continuous )

— Avangi

  • I see nothing wrong with it beyond it's silly conclusion.
  • I think the existing tense choice is more appropriate than your suggested replacement, no offence intended.
  • , continuous )
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13 Answers
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I see nothing wrong with it beyond it's silly conclusion.
I think the existing tense choice is more appropriate than your suggested replacement, no offence intended.
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Xenowhat interests me is whether this construction "would be using" instead of just "would use" is okay and grammatically correct.
It is correct. In fact, be using is is more idiomatic than use in this case.

CJ
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Xenowhat interests me is whether this construction "would be using" instead of just "would use" is okay and grammatically correct.
Yes and No, for this type of conditional (the 3rd kind by the way) to work and sound smoothly to the natives' ears, the [would be + verb+ing] form should be used. This part is a no.

Is it grammatical? I am leaning toward y
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My professor said that this was incorrect and I lost a huge amount of points because I wrote it this way, using proggressive form and so I got a lower mark. Seriously, is there any basis for that? Also, note that I'm not a native speaker and neither is my high school professor who I don't find quite knowledgeable. And it's not my conclusion, it was on the ******* test. =)

Also, I wanted
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dimsumexpress"would be using" instead of just "would use" is okay and grammatically correct.
Ooops, I think I wrote the last post based on an reversed order of the question. But the [would be + continuous form] is st ill true. My apology for the confusion.
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XenoMy professor said that this was incorrect
Strange.
XenoIf he hadn't been taking a walk in the rain, he wouldn't have caught a cold. Again, does progressive form sound okay here?
It's OK, but I prefer the non-progressive here. If he hadn't taken a walk ...

CJ
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Haha. No problem. I actually supposed it. But what about the other one:

If he hadn't been taking a walk in the rain, he wouldn't have caught a cold.

(... should've posted it in the original message.)
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You know, I was deprived of a possibility to go on a republic competition by my professor because that sentence was reputedly incorrect. But then again, I don't trust her at all, and that's why I came here in the first place. So yes, I think that tomorrow I'll be having a fight with certain someone. XD

And thanks for the second sentence. The non-progressive form sounds better to m
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XenoIf he hadn't been taking a walk in the rain, he wouldn't have caught a cold
Yeah, I can appreciate your frustration. It's unfortunate that you lost points on your test. To be honest, I think some non-native English teachers who don't live in "immersed environment" navigate English strictly on grammatical principals, and are not able to decipher what is nat
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Good luck with your effort tomorrow!

If you have a bone to pick with that "someone", this may be helpful for your cause
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