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Anonymous Posted 14 years ago
Grammar
I was getting hungry
A : I would like to eat some eggs.
B : "I was getting hungry VS. I am getting hungry."
I know that there is a meaning difference between "was" and "am" but I also have heard that the form of past verbs can also function in the present as politeness. So how do native English speakers feel about those expressions? Is it for politeness or just it just functions as a past or present verb in the sentences, meaning difference? Thank you as usual and have a safe and good day.
B : "I was getting hungry VS. I am getting hungry."
I know that there is a meaning difference between "was" and "am" but I also have heard that the form of past verbs can also function in the present as politeness. So how do native English speakers feel about those expressions? Is it for politeness or just it just functions as a past or present verb in the sentences, meaning difference? Thank you as usual and have a safe and good day.
Top answer
If I am at a restaurant waiting for my food I might say: I am getting hungry. When my plate of eggs finally arrives I might say: I was getting hungry. This could imply somewhat politely that I am hungry now , possibly from waiting so long!
- If I am at a restaurant waiting for my food I might say: I am getting hungry.
- When my plate of eggs finally arrives I might say: I was getting hungry.
- This could imply somewhat politely that I am hungry now , possibly from waiting so long!
- But they could also be simply appropriate tenses for the time of the action having nothing to do with politeness.
- Another example of using the past to be polite would be if you're tired of waiting for someone (to arrive for example).
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1 Answers
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If I am at a restaurant waiting for my food I might say: I am getting hungry.
When my plate of eggs finally arrives I might say: I was getting hungry. This could imply somewhat politely that I am hungry now, possibly from waiting so long!
When my plate of eggs finally arrives I might say: I was getting hungry. This could imply somewhat politely that I am hungry now, possibly from waiting so long!
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