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Newguest Posted 18 years ago
Grammar

continuous/past

Hi

When I'm relating a story is it better to say: He was coming to school on foot AND Sometimes he was coming to school by car OR He came to school on foot AND Sometimes he came to school by car.

Is it wrong if I use the continuous tense?
  

Top answer

Hi, NewGuest. He was coming to school on foot - It's not good. Because the state verbs isn't usually used in Continuous .

— Fandorin

  • Hi, NewGuest.
  • He was coming to school on foot - It's not good.
  • Because the state verbs isn't usually used in Continuous .
  • Sometimes he was coming to school by car - The same.
  • He came to school on foot .
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5 Answers
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Hi, NewGuest.
He was coming to school on foot - It's not good. Because the state verbs isn't usually used in Continuous .
Sometimes he was coming to school by car - The same.
He came to school on foot. It's a state in the past, and now he don't
Sometimes he came to school by car- The same.
Also you can say: He would come to school by car.
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So can I use both when telling a story or stick to one only?

E.G. We all liked it when he was coming to school on his motorbike. OR ...when he came to school on.....

Thanks
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I've remarked something above. Generally the Continious Tense is used when you want to emphasise the action was in progress.
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Hi

How about this one: I remember HIM coming to school on his motorbike. ---I think in this case it's OK to use the continuous tense. It's not the same as: I remember he came to school on his motorbike.

Also: Is there any difference in the question: How about this one AND What about this one

Thanks
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