Sat/was sitting

Question

StartFragment&gt;I would like to know the difference in the meaning between "1" and "2".1. He sat in a chair looking out the window.2. He was sitting in a chair looking out the window.

Dave Phillips · Accepted Answer

1 is a past simple sentence. - Refers to a particular point in time

2. is a past continuous sentence. Here he was sat before and during (possibly after) the point of time. Therefore he sat there for some time is implied.

Anonymous · Answer

past continous also suggests that something happened while he was sititng there.

He was sitting in the chair looking out the window when the phone rang.

CalifJim · Answer

Wowenglish1. He sat in a chair looking out the window.

2. He was sitting in a chair looking out the window.

These are the possible meanings:
1a. He was in a sitting position (in a particular chair) (for some duration of time).
1b. He made the movement of becoming seated (all at once as a single action). He was standing at first, but he performed the action of moving into the sitting position (in a particular chair).
2a. [The same as 1a.]
2b. [This sentence cannot mean the same thing as 1b means.]

So 1 can be used for two different meanings. 2 can be used for only one meaning.

CJ

Sat/was sitting

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