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Youngbuts Posted 14 years ago
Grammar
was making sure(the past progressive)
Hello, everyone!
I'm confused about English tense, especailly the confusion gets bigger when it comes to real conversations. Could you take a look at the dialogue below?
(a) A: Can you please fill this prescription? It's for my son.
(b) B: Did you know anyone under five should not take this?
(c) A: Is that so? My son's seven, anyway.
(d) B: Fine. I was just making sure.
Instead of 'Did' in (b), could I use "Do you know anyone under five should not take this?"
And, why does the speaker B use the past progressive like 'was just making sure' in the last one (d)? I guess from the context the speaker B intends to say I just wanted to check out it, so to me it could seem also to be paraphrased as I just wanted/intended to make sure.
In this context, does the past progressive imply 'want' or 'intend'? I mean... Is it somthing like implying a intention of the subject? I'm sorry I could not make my questions is more clear. This is where I can go farthest with my English.
Thank you in advance!
I'm confused about English tense, especailly the confusion gets bigger when it comes to real conversations. Could you take a look at the dialogue below?
(a) A: Can you please fill this prescription? It's for my son.
(b) B: Did you know anyone under five should not take this?
(c) A: Is that so? My son's seven, anyway.
(d) B: Fine. I was just making sure.
Instead of 'Did' in (b), could I use "Do you know anyone under five should not take this?"
And, why does the speaker B use the past progressive like 'was just making sure' in the last one (d)? I guess from the context the speaker B intends to say I just wanted to check out it, so to me it could seem also to be paraphrased as I just wanted/intended to make sure.
In this context, does the past progressive imply 'want' or 'intend'? I mean... Is it somthing like implying a intention of the subject? I'm sorry I could not make my questions is more clear. This is where I can go farthest with my English.
Thank you in advance!
Top answer
" Yes The past (did) is more common in conversations. It seems to have a more polite tone. It asks about prior knowledge.
- " Yes The past (did) is more common in conversations.
- It seems to have a more polite tone.
- It asks about prior knowledge.
- youngbuts And, why does the speaker B use the past progressive like 'was just making sure' in the last one (d)?
- He is explaining his reason for making the previous question.
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3 Answers
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youngbutsInstead of 'Did' in (b), could I use "Do you know anyone under five should not take this?"Yes The past (did) is more common in conversations. It seems to have a more polite tone. It asks about prior knowledge.
youngbutsAnd, why does the speaker B use the past progressive like 'was just making sure' in the last one (d)?
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(a) A: Can you please fill this prescription? It's for my son.
(b) B: Did you know anyone under five should not take this?
(c) A: Is that so? My son's seven, anyway.
(d) B: Fine. I was just making sure.
(b) B: Did you know anyone under five should not take this?
(c) A: Is that so? My son's seven, anyway.
(d) B: Fine. I was just making sure.
youngbutsInstead of 'Did' in (b), could I use "Do you know anyone under five should not take this?"Yes, but that sounds more confrontational. In
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Thank you so~so~so much, AlpheccaStars! and CalifJim!
As you said, without the progressive tense, the phrase of 'made sure' has but to turns to be an action verb, which means a totally different thing!
Thank you again!
As you said, without the progressive tense, the phrase of 'made sure' has but to turns to be an action verb, which means a totally different thing!
Thank you again!
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