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ESL forum >
Message board > Dear collegues
Dear collegues
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Mabdel
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Dear collegues
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Hi everybody!
am just a little bit confused abt this sentence what do we say is it "was getting or got"" taking into consideration that the action to get into is a short action
When I (get) ......into the car yesterday. I dropped my bag.
Thanks in advance i always appreciate your help. |
8 Mar 2010
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Kate (kkcat)
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Even if it �s a short action,it �s still an action, so no problem with saying "was getting". Another thing you may want to take into account is if you say "When I got into the car, I dropped my bag" this will mean: First, I got into the car and then I dropped my bag. BUT if you say "When I was getting into the car, I dropped my bag", this will mean: I was in the process of getting into my car and at that same time i dropped my bag". It �s up to you to choose the form, depending on what you want to say.
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8 Mar 2010
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lshorton99
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It depends on the meaning, although we more commonly use �while � with the past continuous.
When I was getting into the car I dropped my keys means the two actions happened simultaneously.
When I got into the car I dropped my keys means first you got into the car, then you dropped your keys.
Hope that helps!
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8 Mar 2010
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Lina Ladybird
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I �d go for �when I got into the car yesterday I dropped my bag�, because I agree with you that the action of getting into a car is so short that I wouldn �t use the past progressive here. Or you could say �while I was getting into the car I dropped my bag�! |
8 Mar 2010
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Mabdel
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thank u all for sharing valuable advice with us. |
8 Mar 2010
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Olindalima ( F )
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Hi MABDEL
Please, listen
LOL
I am a very old woman, so I would prefer this:
Yesterday, WHEN I WAS GETTING into the car ( my God, sometimes it takes quite a while ) I dropped my bag.
You see, I am so old that I drop my bag in a glimpse and, sometimes I go round and round to try and get the way to get into the car.
Was it a fair explanation?
Hope so, I am not that old.
linda
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9 Mar 2010
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moravc
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Linda! You are sooo funny! You made me smile!!!
Thank you!!!
BTW the explanations are great!
was getting + dropped - actions happening at the same time - simultaneously
1. got into + 2. dropped - actions one after another. 7:40 got into a car, 7:41 dropped keys
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9 Mar 2010
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eng789
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It should be - While I was getting into the car I dropped my bag.
we use past progressive after while not when - or at least that �s how I teach it in Junior high.
From another old lady
Barbara |
9 Mar 2010
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douglas
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You were in action when the bag fell so "was getting into" is the best answer. "Got could indicate you were already in the car when you dropped it. |
9 Mar 2010
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