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Omar Ahmed Posted 9 years ago
Grammar

A puzzling question

In the nineteenth century, cities like London and Manchester _____very quickly.

( grew / were growing )

My answer is : "were growing" but my friend says the correct answer is "grew"

Would you kindly tell me the correct answer giving reason for the correct choice?

  

Top answer

Both are possible. "were growing" gives an impression of activity in progress, and might be used, say, in a narrative that is explaining all the things that were happening at that time. "grew", on the other hand, can be used when looking back at a completed process.

  • Both are possible.
  • "were growing" gives an impression of activity in progress, and might be used, say, in a narrative that is explaining all the things that were happening at that time.
  • "grew", on the other hand, can be used when looking back at a completed process.
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1 Answers
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Both are possible. "were growing" gives an impression of activity in progress, and might be used, say, in a narrative that is explaining all the things that were happening at that time. "grew", on the other hand, can be used when looking back at a completed process.

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