0
Anonymous Posted 14 years ago
Grammar
Simple past tense or past continuous
She decided to go to the library as soon as she (finished what she did / finished what she was doing).
In a text book, the correct answer is the latter. In my opinion, the latter is better than the former, but the former is also possible. Could you tell me the difference?
Many thanks.
In a text book, the correct answer is the latter. In my opinion, the latter is better than the former, but the former is also possible. Could you tell me the difference?
Many thanks.
Top answer
I say it must be past continuous. At the time of deciding , the task was as yet unfinished, and could not be referred to in the simple past.
- I say it must be past continuous.
- At the time of deciding , the task was as yet unfinished, and could not be referred to in the simple past.
Get the Weekly English Kit 📬
New words, one handy idiom, and a 2-minute quiz — delivered to your inbox to keep your streak alive.
2 Answers
0
I say it must be past continuous.
At the time of deciding, the task was as yet unfinished, and could not be referred to in the simple past.
At the time of deciding, the task was as yet unfinished, and could not be referred to in the simple past.
00
Anonymousthe former is also possible.No. The semantics of the verb "finish" blocks this possibility. You can only finish an activity that is in progress.
I was reading the news. Then I finished reading the news.
Helen was baking bread. Later, Helen finished baking bread.
I was washing the dishes. Then I finished washing t
0
Related Questions