Past Continuous

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ESL forum > Message board > Past Continuous

Past Continuous

Kate (kkcat)

Past Continuous

Hello dear colleagues!
I have some confusion about using Past Continuous Confused

. Can we use Past Continuous in both parts of the following sentence: When he was watching TV, he was eating crisps.
Using Past Continous in both parts of this sentence seems ok to me (though it �s pretty late here now and maybe I �m just"seeing things" lol) Or we have to use Past Simple in one part and Past Continuous in another as stated in some grammar references? Thank you in advance! Hug

10 Apr 2009

wolfy

I think it �s OK as both actions are happening symultaneasly.

10 Apr 2009

anatavner

I would say: " While he was watching TV, he was eating crisps." And then it won �t sound weird in such late hours....

Good night!
Anat

10 Apr 2009

lubel

HI KKCAT!

In this case , both actions are simultaneous, so both of them must be used in past continuous; because they happen at the same time and there is not interruptions.

GOOD NIGHT

10 Apr 2009

nkappa

Well I think that is correct and it has a meaning... But grammaticaly it �s better to say

"While he was watching TV, he was eating ...."

2 actions happening at the same time.

I hope I �ve been of some help!

10 Apr 2009

Kate (kkcat)

Thank you so much for your quick replies !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

10 Apr 2009

_babz

hmm..

from what I know......Past continuous is often used with while (duration) and when (moment). You also see the simple past being used with the past continuous, and when the action is brief, you �d use the simple past, if the action is much longer you �d use the past continuous.

What you �ve seen in a lot of exercises is this:

ex:When you entered the door, I was making breakfast.

>here you have one short action, that interferes with the long one...

ex:I was making breakfast while you were setting the table

>here you have two long actions happening at the same time...

some teacher �s say if it follows "when" put it in the simple past and "while", put it the past continuous. And you can �t go wrong with that tip, but it �s not always the case.

ex: When Sarah was watching tv, Jill called.

hope that helps..

10 Apr 2009

Kate (kkcat)

thank you!!!YOu all have helped a lot Smile

11 Apr 2009