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Newguest Posted 18 years ago
Grammar

tenses/simple/continuous

Hi guys!

1.Paul was tired because he worked hard.
2. Paul was tired because he was working hard.

Can I use both and what is the difference in meaning? Maybe I should add something more to the second sentence, like "yesterday morning"? Someone has told me that in the second example Paul is still working, he hasn't finished, is it true?

2. Is it possible to use both, especially the second one:

How long have you been learning English?

How long were you learning English?


Thanks
  

Top answer

NG: You do not need to add any more to the second sentence. Both sentences are fine. The first implies that Paul worked on some job, he finished his work, and was tired afterwards..

— AlpheccaStars

  • NG: You do not need to add any more to the second sentence.
  • Both sentences are fine.
  • The first implies that Paul worked on some job, he finished his work, and was tired afterwards..
  • THe second implies that Paul was working, and he was tired even before he finished working.
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9 Answers
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NG:
You do not need to add any more to the second sentence.
Both sentences are fine.
The first implies that Paul worked on some job, he finished his work, and was tired afterwards..
THe second implies that Paul was working, and he was tired even before he finished working.
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Newguest2. Is it possible to use both, especially the second one:

How long have you been learning English?

How long were you learning English?
Both are OK.
The second implies that you are not learning English now, but were at some time in the past.
The first implies that you are still learning English.
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Hi

Can you give me some example/conversation in which you would use "How long were you learning English?"
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NewguestCan you give me some example/conversation
Oof!!! Good luck contextualizing that one! Emotion: smile
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CalifJim
NewguestCan you give me some example/conversation
Oof!!! Good luck contextualizing that one!
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I heard that you studied English when you were living in India..
How long were you actually learning English there?
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AlpheccaStars I heard that you studied English when you were living in India..

How long were you actually learning English there?

many thanks AS!

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NewguestCan you give me some example/conversation in which you would use "How long were you learning English?"
If you Google "How long were you learning" you'll find almost nothing. The verb learning doesn't work particularly well here, the more idiomatic expression being How long did it take you to learn ...
Nevertheless, I found an exampl
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