Sang or was singing

Question

The man in the pub sang the same song for an hour or was singing the same song for an hour.

He shouted at me for hours or He was shouting at me for hours.
She often smiled when I saw her or She was often smiling when I saw her.

Could you please tell me which sentences are correct?

AlpheccaStars · Accepted Answer

AnonymousThe man in the pub sang the same song for an hour or was singing the same song for an hour.He shouted at me for hours or He was shouting at me for hours. She often smiled when I saw her or She was often smiling when I saw her. Could you please tell me which sentences are correct?

All these sentences are correct.
The man in the pub sang the same song for an hour.

The man was singing the same song for an hour. (The focus is on the continuation of the singing. Perhaps he did not even stop to take a gulp of beer!)

He shouted at me for hours.
He was shouting at me for hours. (There is more focus is on the duration of the shouting. It gives a more intense negative mood that the previous sentence.)

She often smiled when I saw her. (I imply that when she saw me, she smiled. That's a good sign that she notices me and maybe like me.)

She was often smiling when I saw her. (She is a happy person. She might be smiling all the time. It is not because I am there. )

Anonymous · Answer

Thank you for your answer

Anonymous · Answer

Hi,

I am confused, what is the meaning If I use "The man in the pub has been singing the same song for an hour"

Please advise. Thanks.

AlpheccaStars · Answer

AnonymousHi,
I am confused, what is the meaning If I use "The man in the pub has been singing the same song for an hour"
Please advise. Thanks.

It means that I am fed up with this guy unless I am as drunk as he is and I like that song! He is like a broken record, over and over and over, singing the same song, and he might be singing that same song for who knows how long!

Sang or was singing

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