0
Hoister Posted 16 years ago
Grammar

Wasn't even talking to him VS didn't talk to him

She told herself that with luck maybe she wouldn't have to see him. She wouldn't have to see any of her siblings. The only one she'd been even a little close to was Clay, the youngest, but she wasn't even talking to him lately.

Source: The Crime Scene

Hi, I'd like to know the difference between "wasn't even talking to him" and "didn't talk to him". Does Continuous tense imply that she hadn't talk to him, but may talk to him in the future? Is it the reason the author uses Continuous tense here? How about the Simple past tense? Thanks in advance~~
  

Top answer

To me, it implies that she believes others may suspect she was (or had been) talking to him. ) "She didn't talk to him" is a simple statement of fact, with no particular implication. "She wasn't even talking to him" is a protest.

— Avangi

  • To me, it implies that she believes others may suspect she was (or had been) talking to him.
  • ) "She didn't talk to him" is a simple statement of fact, with no particular implication.
  • "She wasn't even talking to him" is a protest.
  • Edit.
  • Perhaps I'm giving the statement too much importance.
Free · every Monday

Get the Weekly English Kit 📬

New words, one handy idiom, and a 2-minute quiz — delivered to your inbox to keep your streak alive.

5 Answers
0
To me, it implies that she believes others may suspect she was (or had been) talking to him. She wants to nip that idea in the bud (before it has a chance to ferment, if I may mix a few metaphors.)

"She didn't talk to him" is a simple statement of fact, with no particular implication.
"She wasn't even talking to him" is a protest.

Edit. Perhaps I'm giving the
0
0
Edit : Yeah I'm sorry not to point out that "him" refers to a different person, her elder brother, 

Thanks for your answer.  Simple Past isn't used for an action over a period, so "Didn't talk to him lately" is wrong, right?

What about "She hadn't talked to him lately"? Do you see any difference with "wasn't talking to him"?
0
0
HoisterSimple Past isn't used for an action over a period
It really depends on the verb. In this case, you're right. You need to make the point that this is sort of a habit at the moment. The progressive/continuous is the right tense here.

Hadn't talked to him lately. coincidence - statement of fact

Hadn't been talking to
0
0
Avangi
HoisterSimple Past isn't used for an action over a period
  It really depends on the verb. In this case, you're right.  You need to make the point that this is sort of a habit at the moment.Hadn't talked to him lately.   coincidence   -   statement of factHadn't been talking to him lately.  by design   -   intentionalWasn't talki
0
0
Hoister Does your explanation apply in a boarder sense? Can I say that Continuous Tense in some context can describe an action that is "Intentional"?
Could that be "broader," by any chance?

Sure. Of course it depends again on the verb. "I have been avoiding her lately." This describes a habit, but it may be unintentional. The context, or t
0

Related Questions