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Marold Posted 14 years ago
Grammar
Camped or was camping?
"It's true. They camped out in front of Mann's Chinese Theater in Los Angeles for about a month."
In the test I've taken was accepted merely one possibility and thus camped.
I wonder whether it is also possible to use were camping instead of the past simple and if so, what would be the difference in the meaning?
Thank you in advance.
In the test I've taken was accepted merely one possibility and thus camped.
I wonder whether it is also possible to use were camping instead of the past simple and if so, what would be the difference in the meaning?
Thank you in advance.
Top answer
Marold I wonder whether it is also possible to use were camping instead of past simple No. Not in that sentence with its "for about a month". The past continuous has to remain "open-ended" with regard to the time period.
- Marold I wonder whether it is also possible to use were camping instead of past simple No.
- Not in that sentence with its "for about a month".
- The past continuous has to remain "open-ended" with regard to the time period.
- When you add "for ...
- [some period of time]" you close off the time period.
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2 Answers
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MaroldI wonder whether it is also possible to use were camping instead of past simpleNo. Not in that sentence with its "for about a month". The past continuous has to remain "open-ended" with regard to the time period. When you add "for ... [some period of time]" you close off the time period.
They were camping out in front of the theate
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Thank you very much, CJ.
I see your point and now I know I have had a lack of knowledge in the tense so far.
I see your point and now I know I have had a lack of knowledge in the tense so far.
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