0
Anonymous Posted 13 years ago
Grammar

During - past simple/past continuous

Hello!

I am wondering which option is better in the following sentences and why?

1) I supervised him during the preparation of his master’s thesis. (Past Simple)

2) I was supervising him during the preparation of his master’s thesis. (Past Continuous)

Is it possible both of them to be used? Could you give me a little more explanation about the using of "during"?
  

Top answer

It has nothing to do with 'during'. For any usual use of this sentence (as an academic reference), only #1 will serve. Your second sentence is only useful if you really want to talk about a third past action: I was supervising him during the preparation of his master’s thesis when he suddenly threw a textbook at me and stormed off the campus.

— Mister Micawber

  • It has nothing to do with 'during'.
  • For any usual use of this sentence (as an academic reference), only #1 will serve.
  • Your second sentence is only useful if you really want to talk about a third past action: I was supervising him during the preparation of his master’s thesis when he suddenly threw a textbook at me and stormed off the campus.
Free · every Monday

Get the Weekly English Kit 📬

New words, one handy idiom, and a 2-minute quiz — delivered to your inbox to keep your streak alive.

2 Answers
0
It has nothing to do with 'during'. For any usual use of this sentence (as an academic reference), only #1 will serve. Your second sentence is only useful if you really want to talk about a third past action:

I was supervising him during the preparation of his master’s thesis when he suddenly threw a textbook at me and stormed off the campus.
0
0
Yes, it is for an academic reference, so I'm going to use the first option.

Thank you very much!
0

Related Questions