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AlexBel Posted 13 years ago
Grammar
past simple or past continious
Hello,
I'm studying English. When I was reading a short story of Agatha Christie I came across an episode that hasn't been clear to me so far. I can't understand why the writer used past simple. For me it's better to use past continious tense. The episode is below
I arrived in Brussels late that night. I was writing out a report for the prefect in the morning, when a note was brought to me. It was from old Madame Ddrou-lard, and it summoned me to the house in the Avenue Louise without delay.
Francois opened the door to me.
'Madame la Baronne is awaiting you.'
He conducted me to her apartments. She (sat) in state in a large armchair.
If I understand correctly she had begun sitting in a armchair before he appeared. It means that is a process.
Best regards, Alexey
I'm studying English. When I was reading a short story of Agatha Christie I came across an episode that hasn't been clear to me so far. I can't understand why the writer used past simple. For me it's better to use past continious tense. The episode is below
I arrived in Brussels late that night. I was writing out a report for the prefect in the morning, when a note was brought to me. It was from old Madame Ddrou-lard, and it summoned me to the house in the Avenue Louise without delay.
Francois opened the door to me.
'Madame la Baronne is awaiting you.'
He conducted me to her apartments. She (sat) in state in a large armchair.
If I understand correctly she had begun sitting in a armchair before he appeared. It means that is a process.
Best regards, Alexey
Top answer
The simple past is often used to express what was true at a moment in time. It emphasizes that particular moment when he first saw the old lady.
- The simple past is often used to express what was true at a moment in time.
- It emphasizes that particular moment when he first saw the old lady.
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9 Answers
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The simple past is often used to express what was true at a moment in time. It emphasizes that particular moment when he first saw the old lady.
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Thanks a lot,
I have read a lot of information about using the past simple tense. But I can't catch the meaning of the phrase (what was true). Could you give me some more examples in order to understand. I'm Russian and the languages are so different and it takes me time to realise something that is strange to me.
Thanks in advance.
I have read a lot of information about using the past simple tense. But I can't catch the meaning of the phrase (what was true). Could you give me some more examples in order to understand. I'm Russian and the languages are so different and it takes me time to realise something that is strange to me.
Thanks in advance.
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Think about a photo. It captures one moment of time. The scene is true at that moment.
Another thought is the definition of the verb "sit." The phrase "in state" gives a different meaning than the usual. See definition #9: to occupy a place or have a seat in an official assembly or in an official capacity, as a legislator, judge, or bishop. You can think of it more like the verb "presid
Another thought is the definition of the verb "sit." The phrase "in state" gives a different meaning than the usual. See definition #9: to occupy a place or have a seat in an official assembly or in an official capacity, as a legislator, judge, or bishop. You can think of it more like the verb "presid
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In some books the phrase (in state) is omitted and it looks she sat in a large amchair. The meaning of the sentence is clear to me. The question is that I can't understand completely which tense must be used.
As I see this situation in my mind -
He came in, she was sitting in a large armchair.
He came in, she sat in a large armchar (one action after another - she sat down in armchair
As I see this situation in my mind -
He came in, she was sitting in a large armchair.
He came in, she sat in a large armchar (one action after another - she sat down in armchair
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AlexBelHe came in, she was sitting in a large armchair.Yes, that is the meaning.
The actual sentence is " She sat in state in a large armchair."
The simple past gives the meaning of "preside" or a tone of gravitas, especially with "in state." She is obviously a lady of a high class, who presides over her domain.
A modern American
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Your explanation is getting more clear to me. But there is a strange thing. The sentence in the book which I bought a shop looks - She sat in a large armchair and the words (IN STATE ) are omitted, that is why I raised this question. But I copied this frame from another source in the internet for my question in the forum and the sentence there already had these words (IN STATE). I think two words
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If the author intended to portray the image of an imperious woman, then the simple past is fine.
Are you asking if Agatha Christie's writing has a few grammatical problems?
Are you asking if Agatha Christie's writing has a few grammatical problems?
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The simple past is often used to express what was true at a moment in time. It emphasizes that particular moment when he first saw the old lady. - your first answer was what I wanted to get to know. it's correct to use the past simple in this situation according to this post. Thanks a lot.
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Be aware that the particular verb is important, as in the case of "sit." Most other dynamic verbs would not work.
John entered the room. Anne looked at George. This can be interpreted as there is some connection between the two events.
John entered the room. Ann was looking at George. There is no connection between the two events.
John entered the room. Anne looked at George. This can be interpreted as there is some connection between the two events.
John entered the room. Ann was looking at George. There is no connection between the two events.
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