Past continuous or past simple?

Question

Which sentences are correct?1.The man in the shop was saying something to the woman,but she didn't hear him.2.The man in the shop said something to the woman but she didn't hear him

Anonymous · Accepted Answer

I have to correct myself.
Which sentence is correct?
Thaneke you in advance

CalifJim · Answer

AnonymousWhich sentences are correct?

1.The man in the shop was saying something to the woman,but she didn't hear him.
2.The man in the shop said something to the woman but she didn't hear him

Both are correct. Both are possible.

In the first case the speaker is imagining the act of saying something to the woman as it was actually taking place at the time.

In the second case the speaker is thinking of the act of saying something to the woman as a an event that had already taken place.

CJ

Anonymous · Answer

thanks<img class='emoticon' style='Width:19px;Height:19px;' data-delaysrc='https://uat-englishforward-forums-backend.s3.us-west-2.amazonaws.com/Emoticons/1.gif' src='https://uat-englishforward-forums-backend.s3.us-west-2.amazonaws.com/Emoticons/1.gif' alt='Emotion: smile'/>

Past continuous or past simple?

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