Syntax
Hello everyone, could you please tell me if "was calling" and "called" are correct? If yes, what is the difference between them?
1. Jim guessed that Silver was calling his men.
2. Jim guessed that Silver called his men.
Regards,
JA
Top answer
(1) probably means that "calling" happened at the same time as "guessed" (or was just about to happen). (2) isn't a very satisfactory sentence. We normally use this tense combination when describing states, or regular or habitual actions.
- (1) probably means that "calling" happened at the same time as "guessed" (or was just about to happen).
- (2) isn't a very satisfactory sentence.
- We normally use this tense combination when describing states, or regular or habitual actions.
- For example, "Jim guessed that Silver mistreated his men".
- However, "called his men" doesn't seem to be of that nature, so the sentence tends to seem like a mistake for "Jim guessed that Silver had called his men".
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(1) probably means that "calling" happened at the same time as "guessed" (or was just about to happen).
(2) isn't a very satisfactory sentence. We normally use this tense combination when describing states, or regular or habitual actions. For example, "Jim guessed that Silver mistreated his men". However, "called his men" doesn't seem to be of that nature, so the sentence tends to seem l
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