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Nina_Nia Posted 14 years ago
Grammar
Past continuous or past simple
Hello,
Can I use either past simple or past continuous in these examples?
1.Yesterday at one o'clock I was having/had lunch. (If I use 'had' would it refer to a finished action? As far as I know, past simple can also show that the action was in progress. So 'had lunch' can also mean that the action was in progress. I can use past simple to state a fact or to show that the action was in progress. I think I can use either past simple or past continuous.
2.He was walking/walked along the river when the boat passed/was passing.
3.I was watching/watched TV at 5 o'clock yesterday.
4.When I was coming/came home, I met Ann. (I understand it in two ways; When I was coming- means on my way home I met Ann. When I came home-When I was inside I met Ann, she was inside my house)
5.They were drinking tea when I was coming/came home.
6.When I was going/went to the theatre I met Kate.
Thanks
Can I use either past simple or past continuous in these examples?
1.Yesterday at one o'clock I was having/had lunch. (If I use 'had' would it refer to a finished action? As far as I know, past simple can also show that the action was in progress. So 'had lunch' can also mean that the action was in progress. I can use past simple to state a fact or to show that the action was in progress. I think I can use either past simple or past continuous.
2.He was walking/walked along the river when the boat passed/was passing.
3.I was watching/watched TV at 5 o'clock yesterday.
4.When I was coming/came home, I met Ann. (I understand it in two ways; When I was coming- means on my way home I met Ann. When I came home-When I was inside I met Ann, she was inside my house)
5.They were drinking tea when I was coming/came home.
6.When I was going/went to the theatre I met Kate.
Thanks
Top answer
Yesterday at one o'clock I was having/had lunch. - Yes. -- No.
- Yesterday at one o'clock I was having/had lunch.
- - Yes.
- -- No.
- -- No.
- I can use past simple to state a fact or to show that the action was in progress-- No.
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22 Answers
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1.Yesterday at one o'clock I was having/had lunch. (If I use 'had' would it refer to a finished action?- Yes.
As far as I know, past simple can also show that the action was in progress.-- No.
So 'had lunch' can also mean that the action was in progress.-- No.
I can use past simple to state a fact or to show that the action was in progress-- No.
I
As far as I know, past simple can also show that the action was in progress.-- No.
So 'had lunch' can also mean that the action was in progress.-- No.
I can use past simple to state a fact or to show that the action was in progress-- No.
I
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nina: Mr. Micawber has covered it.
Slight typo:
5.They were drinking tea when Iwas came home.
It happens, when you are 'adjusting' the original text of the poster.
Slight typo:
5.They were drinking tea when I
It happens, when you are 'adjusting' the original text of the poster.
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Maybe in British English it is possible to use past simple instead of past continuous to show that the action is or was in progress? Is it possible?
Eg.,
When I came home, my sisters were having/had tea. From a context I know that this action was in progress so I am sure that I should use 'were having' and it will be 100% correct, but I noticed that some native speakers use
Eg.,
When I came home, my sisters were having/had tea. From a context I know that this action was in progress so I am sure that I should use 'were having' and it will be 100% correct, but I noticed that some native speakers use
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but I noticed that some native speakers use 'past simple' instead of past contiuous in situations like this one for an action that was in progress. Why does this happen?
Can you give us an example? Because the very nature of Simple Past Tense is that no action is(was) occurring!
Is it always better to use 'when' with pa
Can you give us an example? Because the very nature of Simple Past Tense is that no action is(was) occurring!
Is it always better to use 'when' with pa
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Hello,
My examples are;
While he was sleeping / while he slept, my mother came home
I ate /was eating dinner at 7 o'clock yesterday.
I have been told that both past simple and past continuous are correct in these examples. In the second sentence the
My examples are;
While he was sleeping / while he slept, my mother came home
I ate /was eating dinner at 7 o'clock yesterday.
I have been told that both past simple and past continuous are correct in these examples. In the second sentence the
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While he slept, my mother came home.
Where is the POINT in time in the clause, 'while he slept', that would require the use of 'when'?
In terms of grammar, both
I ate dinner at 7 o'clock yesterday.
and
I was eating dinner at
Where is the POINT in time in the clause, 'while he slept', that would require the use of 'when'?
In terms of grammar, both
I ate dinner at 7 o'clock yesterday.
and
I was eating dinner at
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No, the speaker didn't say that either. I will state what I understood and will be grateful if you correct me. So to say that past simple can be used instead of past continuous to show that the action was in progress is wrong. And it will be always wrong in all situations.
As far as I understood; I ate dinner at 7 o'clock yesterday. This is a fini
As far as I understood; I ate dinner at 7 o'clock yesterday. This is a fini
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I was eating dinner at 7 o'clock yesterday.
I started eating earlier and at 7 o'clock I was still eating. Absolutely correct.
I can't use past simple here. Yes, you could. Let's look at this in the context of a conversation.
Detective (investig
I started eating earlier and at 7 o'clock I was still eating. Absolutely correct.
I can't use past simple here. Yes, you could. Let's look at this in the context of a conversation.
Detective (investig
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Thank you very much for your explanations. I don't have questions anymore 
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Hi.., here is my opinion
1.Yesterday at 1 o'clock I was having/had lunch.Both are ok.
Past simple can also show the action was in progress > No.
2.use past continuous because it tells about the action began in the past and is still going on at the time of speaking. He was walking along the river when the boat passed.
3. Can use simple part or past continuous.
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