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Nkspb Posted 11 years ago
Grammar
The Past Simple tense with 'at'?
Hi there 
Can we use the Past Simple with 'at' like here:
"I read a book at 5 o'clock yesterday?"
And one more question.
In narrations the Past Simple is used to list events. Then, if one lists them like this:
"I read a book at 5 o'clock, then I went for a walk" - is it acceptable?
Or
"I was reading a book at 5 o'clock, then I went for a walk" is correct?
Thanks.
Can we use the Past Simple with 'at' like here:
"I read a book at 5 o'clock yesterday?"
And one more question.
In narrations the Past Simple is used to list events. Then, if one lists them like this:
"I read a book at 5 o'clock, then I went for a walk" - is it acceptable?
Or
"I was reading a book at 5 o'clock, then I went for a walk" is correct?
Thanks.
Top answer
" Your use of the simple past here is correct. ). nkspb "I read a book at 5 o'clock, then I went for a walk" - is it acceptable?
- " Your use of the simple past here is correct.
- ).
- nkspb "I read a book at 5 o'clock, then I went for a walk" - is it acceptable?
- Yes, it is acceptable.
- nkspb "I was reading a book at 5 o'clock, then I went for a walk" is correct?
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8 Answers
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nkspb"I read a book at 5 o'clock yesterday?"Your use of the simple past here is correct. In fact, the simple past is the only tense you should use in that example (not the present perfect!).
nkspb"I read a book at 5 o'clock, then I went for a walk" - is it acceptable?Yes, it is acceptable.
nkspb"I w
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Thank you.
So, isn't it mandatory to use the Past Continuous in my first example? We are talking about a specific time, but all these 'grammar rules' are so subtle they make me easily confused...
So, isn't it mandatory to use the Past Continuous in my first example? We are talking about a specific time, but all these 'grammar rules' are so subtle they make me easily confused...
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Unless you read the entire book at 5 (it must have been a very, very short one!) the past simple does not work.
When did you start reading? Did you stop at 5?
When did you start reading? Did you stop at 5?
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Nkspb,
Understand that one of the uses of the past continuous is for a past activity that was ongoing, or repetitive (done again and again), or continuous (hence the "continuous").
It is better to use the past continuous with your example as follows:
1. When it was five o'clock yesterday, I was reading a book.
In your original sentence, the use of the simple pas
Understand that one of the uses of the past continuous is for a past activity that was ongoing, or repetitive (done again and again), or continuous (hence the "continuous").
It is better to use the past continuous with your example as follows:
1. When it was five o'clock yesterday, I was reading a book.
In your original sentence, the use of the simple pas
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Yes, Thank You This is what I was thinking - the Past Simple here expresses a finished action.
This is what I was thinking - the Past Simple here expresses a finished action. 00
Okay, I am glad that it helps. If you need further clarification, just ask.
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nkspb"I read a book at 5 o'clock yesterday?"No. Reading a book takes some time. One point in time (eg. 5 o'clock) does not make sense for verbs that have a longer action time.
It's OK with verbs that express a short action:
I rang the bell at 5 o'clock.
I escaped from jail at 5 o'clock.
We kissed at 5 o'clock.
I finished the book at 5 o'
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Reading a book takes some time, but kissing doesn't? You're doing the latter wrong.
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