Page 21 - Advanced English Grammar in Use

Fast continuous (1 Was GuINY) diiu pase
connnuous (\ was uuinyj aim раы Spe
did)
(I (I did)

To talk about a temporary situation that existed at or around a particular time in the past, we use
To talk about a temporary situation that existed at or around a particular time in the past, we use
the past continuous:
the past continuous:
At the time of the robbery, they were staying with my parents.
• * At the time of the robbery, they were staying with my parents.
aching again, so I went home.
My head was
• * My head was aching again, so I went home.
Compare the use of the past continuous and the past simple in these sentences:
Compare the use of the past continuous and the past simple in these sentences:
shaking with anger as she left the hotel.
9 • * She was shaking with anger as she left the hotel.
She was
When he realised I was looking at him, he turned away.
• * When he realised I was looking at him, he turned away.
Erika dropped her bag while she was getting into her car.
• ¢ Erika dropped her bag while she was getting into her car.
We often use the past simple to talk about a completed past event and the past continuous to to
We often use the past simple to talk about a completed past event and the past continuous
describe the situation that existed at the time. The completed event might have interrupted the
describe the situation that existed at the time. The completed event might have interrupted the
situation, or just occurred while the situation or event was in progress.
situation, or just occurred while the situation or event was in progress.
(see Unit 2A):
We don't normally use the past continuous with certain verbs describing states
We don't normally use the past continuous with certain verbs describing states (see Unit 2A):
(not ...was belonging to...)
• * This house belonged to the King of Sweden, (not ...was belonging to...)
This house belonged to the King ofSweden.
D When we talk about two past actions or events that went on over
When we talk about two past actions or events that went on over
the same period of time, we can often use the past continuous for both:
the same period of time, we can often use the past continuous for both:
Sally was reading to the children while Kevin was washing up.
• * Sally was reading to the children while Kevin was washing up.
Mario was working in a restaurant when I was living in London.
• * Mario was working in a restaurant when I was living in London.
However, we can often use the past simple to express a similar meaning:
However, we can often use the past simple to express a similar meaning:
Mario worked in a restaurant while he lived in London, (or ...was living in London.)
• * Mario worked in a restaurant while he lived inLondon. (or ...was living in London.)
When we talk about two or more past completed events that follow each other, we use the past
When we talk about two or more past completed events that follow each other, we use the past
simple for both. The first may have caused the second:
simple for both. The first may have caused the second:
off.
• * She got up when the alarm clock went off:
She got up when the alarm clock went
He jumped out of bed and ran to see who the parcel was for.
• e Hejumped out ofbed and ran to see who the parcel was for.
When we talk about a permanent or long-term situation that existed in the past, we use the past
When we talk about a permanent or long-term situation that existed in the past, we use the past
simple rather than the past continuous:
simple rather than the past continuous:
(not ...I was playing...)
g • * When I was a child I played the violin, (not ...1 was playing...)
When I was a child I played theviolin.
However, if the situation was temporary, we can also use the past continuous. Compare:
However, if the situation was temporary, we can also use the past continuous. Compare:
I was working in a car factory during the summer of 1976. (or I worked...) and
• ¢ Iwas working in a car factory during the summer of 1976. (or I worked...) and
He worked hard all his life, (not He was working...)
• * He worked hard all hislife. (not He was working...)
We use the past simple rather than the past continuous when we are talking about repeated
We use the past simple rather than the past continuous when we are talking about repeated
actions or events in the past:
actions or events in the past:
(not We were visiting...)
• * We visited Spain three times lastyear. her grandparents, (not ...was sleeping...)
We visited Spain three times last year, (not We were visiting...)
actions only went on for a limited and temporary period of past time (See also Unit 2C):
(not I was going...)
went past her house every day.
I went past her house every day. (not I was going...)
• *
she stayed with
slept very badly whenever
She
She slept very badly whenever she stayed with hergrandparents. (not ...was sleeping...)
• *
However, the past continuous can also be used when we want to emphasise that the repeated
However, the past continuous can also be used when we want to emphasise that the repeated
(See also Unit 2C):
actions only went on for a limited and temporary period of past time
When Carlo was in hospital, we were visiting him twice a day. (or ...we visited...)
• * When Carlo was in hospital, we were visiting him twice a day. (or ...we visited...)
...I went...)
(or
fit for the race, I was going to the sports centre every day.
• *
To get
To get fit for the race, I was going to the sports centre every day. (or ...I went...)
We use the past continuous when the repeated actions or events provide a longer background to to
We use the past continuous when the repeated actions or events provide a longer background
something else that happened (see A):
something else that happened (see A):
During the time I started to get chest pains, I was playing tennis a lot.
During the time I started to get chest pains, I was playing tennis a lot.
• *
past
l
i
smpe =
and
past
smpe =
perfect
and
i
perfect
Present
l
Past