Past Progressive
expresses
· actions in
progress when another action occurred:
The sun was setting as we reached
home.
When you rang up your mum/mom, she was resting.
· gradual
progression:
The sun was setting. It was
getting darker. The wind was rising.
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Past Progressive Tense Form and ‘time’
Past progressive tense form expresses
1. importance to the continuity of the action rather than its completion:
He was listening to the radio.
They were watching TV.
What were you doing all morning?
2. actions in progress when another action
occurred:
The sun was setting as we reached home.
When you rang up your mum/mom, she was resting.
3. gradual progression:
The sun was setting.
It was getting darker.
The wind was rising.
4. actions repeated for a short period:
The manager was typing his own letters while his secretary was
ill.
At that time, she was having regular singing lessons.
He was taking his children out much oftener in those days.
5. annoyance or irritation at some repeated
action (with an adverb):
He was always grumbling.
She was constantly troubling her husband for money
with which to buy new clothes.
6. an intention not completed:
You were going to give me your mobile number. (but you didn’t)
The police were going to charge her. (but they didn’t)
7. an arrangement in the future determined in
the past:
You were meeting him at the Taj the next day.
They were getting married the following spring.
He busy packing for he was leaving that night.
8. actions that are contrary to routine:
I was surprised to see they were drinking tea at breakfast.
(They usually took coffee.)
I felt that the fellow was telling the truth. (He usually lied.)
Their regular teacher fell ill, so I was taking the class for
history.
9. incomplete actions because of interruption:
I sprained my ankle while I was
playing tennis.
Father was watching TV while the lights went off.
10. interrelationship or identity with another
simultaneous event:
Do you think he was telling the truth (when he said that)?
A: What did she mean by that?
B: I think she was advising you not to interfere.
11. casualness rather than purposefulness:
I was talking to Mohan, and he was telling me that the job is
still vacant.
Note: The use of second past progressive tense here
doesn’t mean the action was a long one;
nor does it mean the action was incomplete. The tense tells us that the action (‘telling’
or ‘advising’) was part of a conversation where it was one of the
several ideas that were
shared. Other verbs of ‘speaking’ used in this manner are: apologize,
thank, predict,
request etc.
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Meaning differences between past and past
progressive
1.
My sister was studying for her exams while I was watching
television.
My sister studied for her exams while I watched
television.
The
past progressive tense stresses ‘continuity’ while the past tense,
‘completion’.
2.
When we arrived, my wife made some coffee.
When we arrived, my wife was making coffee.
The
past tense indicates that coffee-making followed our arrival. The past
progressive
means that the arrival took place during
coffee-making.
3.
He played for several first-class teams (before he retired).
He was playing in a match against the North (the day he scored a
hat trick.)
The
past tense indicates permanence of ‘playing’ and the past progressive, a
specific
occasion.
4.
I read a novel yesterday evening. [ie the whole novel]
I was reading a novel yesterday evening.
The
past tense indicates completion of the act and past progressive indicates only
the
continuity of the action.
5.
A: ‘Did you hear about Balu’s new job?’
B : ‘ Yes, my wife was telling me about it this morning.’
(or) ‘ Yes, my wife told me about it this morning.’
The
past tense suggests: ‘I know more or less all about it; I don’t need any
further
information.’
The
past continuous tense suggests: ‘I have heard a little about it, but I should
like to hear
more.’
6.
I talked to Gopal the other day.
I was talking to Gopal the other day.
The
past tense implies intention/purpose. The past progressive means: I happened to
talk
to
Gopal. (I had no intention, the talk just happened.)
7.
What were you doing before you came here?
What did you do before you came here?
The
past progressive implies ‘politeness’ towards the listener. This is absent in
the past
tense.
8.
What were you doing in my room?
What did you do
in my room?
The
past progressive implies an accusation, which is absent in the past tense.
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