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Guzhao67 Posted 18 years ago
Grammar
interpretive use of the progressive
Hello: everyone
I have a question about the English progressive form. In the following two conversation examples, which one is more appropriate and why?
Example1:
"Were you lying when you said that?"
"No, I was telling the truth"
Example2:
"Were you lying when you said that?"
"No, I told the truth"
If both sentences are acceptable, what's the difference between them?
thank you.
I have a question about the English progressive form. In the following two conversation examples, which one is more appropriate and why?
Example1:
"Were you lying when you said that?"
"No, I was telling the truth"
Example2:
"Were you lying when you said that?"
"No, I told the truth"
If both sentences are acceptable, what's the difference between them?
thank you.
Top answer
Hi, guzhao67. guzhao67 Hello: everyone I have a question about the English progressive form. In the following two conversation examples, which one is more appropriate and why?
- Hi, guzhao67.
- guzhao67 Hello: everyone I have a question about the English progressive form.
- In the following two conversation examples, which one is more appropriate and why?
- " "No, I was telling the truth".
- It's alright.
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4 Answers
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Hi, guzhao67.
guzhao67Hello: everyone
I have a question about the English progressive form. In the following two conversation examples, which one is more appropriate and why?
Example1:
"Were you lying when you said that?"
"No, I was telling the truth". It's alright. When you use Progressive you emphasize the event like a process in the period of t
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It is natural to give the answer in the same form as the question:
1) Were you lying yesterday?
No. I wasn't lying, I was telling the truth.
2) Did you lie yesterday?
No, I didn't. I told the truth.
1) Were you lying yesterday?
No. I wasn't lying, I was telling the truth.
2) Did you lie yesterday?
No, I didn't. I told the truth.
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I agree with alphecca that people usually respond in the same form, but either way is can still be used. "I told the truth" sounds more direct, and it contrasts with the "were you lying". "I was telling the truth" sounds like you were explaining something that was complex.
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