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Paul Evdokimov Posted 10 years ago
Grammar

Past cont. with the future meaning

Hi there,

Below is the excerpt from Hewings' Advanced grammar in use:

"Correct the sentences if necessary:

We are meeting at 7 in the Globe coffee bar. Can you be there, too?''

The answer: OK, 'were meeting' is also possible. No explanations given.

Now why does the author consider the past continuous to be appropriate for future arrangements?

Thanks for your comments in advance.
  

Top answer

We were meeting ... s uggests We were plannning to meet ...

— Fivejedjon

  • We were meeting ...
  • s uggests We were plannning to meet ...
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3 Answers
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We were meeting ... suggests We were plannning to meet ... .
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Paul EvdokimovThe answer: OK, 'were meeting' is also possible.
Suggests that the regular meeting place / time has been the Globe Coffee Bar at 7, and there is no plan to change it.
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Paul EvdokimovThe answer: OK, 'were meeting' is also possible. No explanations given.
Another possible explanation is that 'were' is "the past of politeness".

"We were meeting" or "We were planning to meet" are thus interpreted as "We are meeting" or "We are planning to meet", which, being in the present continuous, are interpreted as "We will be meet
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