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Anonymous Posted 11 years ago
Grammar
Past continous and past simple
I am studying myself a book called Advanced Grammar in Use(Third Edition) and I'm currently stduying Past tenses.
I have a confusion about when to use past tenses.
For example, in the book it says,
"When we talk aout two or more past completed events that followed one another, we use the past simple, not the past coninuous, for both
Ex: She got up when the alarm clock went off
given the example above. Can't I say "When the alarm clock went off when she was getting up"? If it's possible, it is against the rule that is explained in the book. but it sounds right to me using past contious and past simple in one context.
I'm confused about it, please help me out about this matter.
Thank you!
I have a confusion about when to use past tenses.
For example, in the book it says,
"When we talk aout two or more past completed events that followed one another, we use the past simple, not the past coninuous, for both
Ex: She got up when the alarm clock went off
given the example above. Can't I say "When the alarm clock went off when she was getting up"? If it's possible, it is against the rule that is explained in the book. but it sounds right to me using past contious and past simple in one context.
I'm confused about it, please help me out about this matter.
Thank you!
Top answer
Anonymous When the alarm clock went off when she was getting up"? That is possible, but it has a different meaning. The getting up had started, but was not complete, at the time the alarm clock rang.
- Anonymous When the alarm clock went off when she was getting up"?
- That is possible, but it has a different meaning.
- The getting up had started, but was not complete, at the time the alarm clock rang.
- Anonymous She got up when the alarm clock went off The getting up began after the alarm clock had started ringing.
- Your book is correct.
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2 Answers
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AnonymousWhen the alarm clock went off when she was getting up"?That is possible, but it has a different meaning. The getting up had started, but was not complete, at the time the alarm clock rang.
AnonymousShe got up when the alarm clock went offThe getting up began after the alarm clock had started ringing.
Your
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AnonymousThe alarm clock went off when she was getting up.Correct, but you can't have when at the beginning. A sentence cannot consist of two subordinate clauses. You need a main clause as well.
CB
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