Verbs - The Past Continuous and the Simple Past
|
(a) We use the Past Continuous Tense (he was eating, I was thinking etc.) for an
action which was continuing WHEN something else (suddenly) happened.
(b) It is also used to show two actions happening at the same time in the past.
|
(a) I was driving my car along the street when (suddenly) a child ran out in front
of me.
I was driving = continuous action
a child ran out = sudden action
|
I was driving my car is an action that continued for a certain length of time (but
we are not interested in when it started)
A child ran out in front of me - this happened suddenly, and interrupted the continuous
action.
|
(b)While I was mending the garage door, my girlfriend was getting the lunch ready.
|
Two actions happening at the same time in the past, both continuing for a period
of time.
|
(a) If you ask the question:
What were you doing (when the child ran out)?
the answer is definitely I was driving along the street.
but if you ask:
What did you do (when the child ran out)?
the answer is probably: I braked! or
I put my foot on the brake! or I swerved (what does swerve mean?)
|
Now try this exercise. Answer below, or click here
1. John was at his desk writing an email to Mary when the PC seized up.
Q: What .........................................................................seized
up?
A: He ................................................................... an email
to Mary.
Q: What .............................................................................
then?
A: He telephoned the service engineer.
2. The airliner was preparing to land when terrorists fired a missile at it.
Q: What ............................................................... fired a
missile?
A: It was preparing to land.
Q: What ...........................................the pilot ............................?
A: He threw the airliner into a steep dive.
Q: What happened ............................................................. the
missile?
A: It missed the plane and crashed harmlessly into the sea.
3. Henry was giving Penny a goodnight kiss when her husband, Rocky, came home!
Q: What ............................ Henry ........................................home?
A: He ...................................................................a goodnight
kiss.
Q: What did Rocky do?
A: He ................................................................................
Q: What .......................................... Henry...............................?
A: He ......................................................................................
and before answering asking and answering, you have to realise that Penny is Henry's
sister - and it's perfectly normal to give your sister a goodnight kiss.
|
