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Shadok Posted 15 years ago
Grammar
Past Simple/ Past Continuous
Hello. I have some doubts about the use of the past simple and the past continuous.
Correct me please, If I am not right:
1. Past simple is used, for example, for regulat past actions, for example:
When I lived in Paris, I worked in a bank. (and not 'When I was living in Paris, I was working in a bank')
I went to primary school in Berlin. (and not 'I was going to primary school in Berlin')
2. Past Continuous is often used with a time expression (yesterday at this time, yesterday at 5 p.m. , etc.)
and in contrast with the past simple, for example :
When I entered the room, everyone was having fun; Meg was dancing and Tom was singing.
The telephone rang while I was having a shower.
3. Past Continuous is also used to start a story, give a description of the events and atmosphere around us:
I was approaching the house, birds were chirping, and the sun was setting...
4. I know that when we describe a party we have been to or our holidays, we also use just the past simple (if we want to state some facts):
During my birthday party we danced, sang, played card games and ate a lot. (and not 'were dancing, singing,' etc.)
5. My question is:
When I am describing some repeated actions, should I use the past simple or the past continuous?
For instance, I am writing a letter to the owner of a house I rented during summer holidays, giving a description of all the things that did not work in the house.
For example:
The broken toilet bowl filled up with water and emptied out onto the bathroom. This liquid entered the hall. The fridge did not work (...)
(I mean it happened regularly, not only once)
Should I use the past continuous?
The broken toilet bowl was filling up with water and empting out onto the bathrrom. This liquid was entering the hall.
Or maybe I could add the word 'regularly'?
The broken toilet bowl regularly filled up with water and emptied out onto the bathroom. This liquid entered the hall.
I am confused...Please help.
Thank you.
Correct me please, If I am not right:
1. Past simple is used, for example, for regulat past actions, for example:
When I lived in Paris, I worked in a bank. (and not 'When I was living in Paris, I was working in a bank')
I went to primary school in Berlin. (and not 'I was going to primary school in Berlin')
2. Past Continuous is often used with a time expression (yesterday at this time, yesterday at 5 p.m. , etc.)
and in contrast with the past simple, for example :
When I entered the room, everyone was having fun; Meg was dancing and Tom was singing.
The telephone rang while I was having a shower.
3. Past Continuous is also used to start a story, give a description of the events and atmosphere around us:
I was approaching the house, birds were chirping, and the sun was setting...
4. I know that when we describe a party we have been to or our holidays, we also use just the past simple (if we want to state some facts):
During my birthday party we danced, sang, played card games and ate a lot. (and not 'were dancing, singing,' etc.)
5. My question is:
When I am describing some repeated actions, should I use the past simple or the past continuous?
For instance, I am writing a letter to the owner of a house I rented during summer holidays, giving a description of all the things that did not work in the house.
For example:
The broken toilet bowl filled up with water and emptied out onto the bathroom. This liquid entered the hall. The fridge did not work (...)
(I mean it happened regularly, not only once)
Should I use the past continuous?
The broken toilet bowl was filling up with water and empting out onto the bathrrom. This liquid was entering the hall.
Or maybe I could add the word 'regularly'?
The broken toilet bowl regularly filled up with water and emptied out onto the bathroom. This liquid entered the hall.
I am confused...Please help.
Thank you.
Top answer
1. Past simple is used, for example, for regulat past actions, for example: When I lived in Paris, I worked in a bank. (and not 'When I was living in Paris, I was working in a bank'-- This can be fine, too.
- 1.
- Past simple is used, for example, for regulat past actions, for example: When I lived in Paris, I worked in a bank.
- (and not 'When I was living in Paris, I was working in a bank'-- This can be fine, too.
- It all depends on the greater context.
- ) I went to primary school in Berlin.
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3 Answers
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1. Past simple is used, for example, for regulat past actions, for example:
When I lived in Paris, I worked in a bank. (and not 'When I was living in Paris, I was working in a bank'-- This can be fine, too. It all depends on the greater context.)
I went to primary school in Berlin. (and not 'I was going to primary school in Berlin'- This too is
When I lived in Paris, I worked in a bank. (and not 'When I was living in Paris, I was working in a bank'-- This can be fine, too. It all depends on the greater context.)
I went to primary school in Berlin. (and not 'I was going to primary school in Berlin'- This too is
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Thank you very much.
'The broken toilet bowl regularly filled up with water and emptied out onto the bathroom. This liquid entered the hall.-- This is the best choice.'
As I have a few similar sentences, I would like to replace the word 'regularly' with some synonyms.
I think ' repeatedly' and 'systematically' would be the best.
Maybe 'constantly'
'The broken toilet bowl regularly filled up with water and emptied out onto the bathroom. This liquid entered the hall.-- This is the best choice.'
As I have a few similar sentences, I would like to replace the word 'regularly' with some synonyms.
I think ' repeatedly' and 'systematically' would be the best.
Maybe 'constantly'
00
Yes, I think those words are acceptable synonyms ('constantly' may work in some cases but not other cases). 'Systematically' sounds like it is supposed to happen, however.
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