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Park sang joon Posted 11 years ago
Grammar

Was being innocent/ was innocent

The following comes from my English reference book.
Everybody said he was innocent so convincingly that she came to believe it.

I'd like to know why "was innocent" is used, not "was being innocent."
Thank you in advance for your help.
  

Top answer

" Because the latter is not possible in English. 'Innocent' is a simple adjective: He was innocent. He was hungry.

— Mister Micawber

  • " Because the latter is not possible in English.
  • 'Innocent' is a simple adjective: He was innocent.
  • He was hungry.
  • He was American.
  • None of those takes 'be/being'.
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1 Answers
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park sang joonI'd like to know why "was innocent" is used, not "was being innocent."
Because the latter is not possible in English. 'Innocent' is a simple adjective:

He was innocent.
He was hungry.
He was American.

None of those takes 'be/being'.

'Convincingly' modifies 'said', not 'innocent'.
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