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Past continuous - Coggle Diagram
Past continuous
We often use the past continuous to
say that
something was in progress around a particular past time
‘What were you doing at eight o'clock yesterday evening?’
‘I was watching TV.’
give background
As 1 was walking down the road,…
talk about
temporary situations
It happened while I was living in Eastbourne last year.
structure importance in a conversation
(
because it is usually gives background
)
I had lunch with the President yesterday,
I was having lunch with the President yesterday, and she said ...
indicate the following verb is important
Jack was saying that he still can't find a job.
express annoyance, unexpected events
Aunt Lucy was always turning up without warning.
distancing for politeness
I was thinking... I was hoping...
Past Simple vs. Past Cont.
In stories
Past Continuous
:
gives background
As 1 was walking down the road,…
Past Simple
:
gives the actions
... I saw james
Repeated actions and habits
Past Simple
:
usually used
I rang the bell six times.
When I was a child we walked to school.
Past Continuous
is
used when these are part of the background
A t the time when it happened, I was travelling to New York a lot
Longer or shorter situation
Past Simple
:
Longer or permanent situation
I lived in London for ten years while I was a child.
Past Continuous
:
Temporal situations
It happened while I was living in Eastbourne last year.
Distancing
Past Simple
:
I though... I wondered
less polite
Past Continuous
:
I was thinking...
more polite
time expressions
While, as
gives background
Always, continually
express annoyance
action continuing at a particular past time