Unit 6 The Past Continuous as an alternative to the Simple

Past

 

1 The past continuous used with a point in time expresses an action which began before that time and probably continued after it.

Mike was having breakfast at eight. (It implies that he was in the middle of breakfast at eight, i.e. that he had started it before eight).

Compare: He had breakfast at eight would imply that he started it at eight.

 

2 If we replace the time expression with a verb in the simple past tense:

When I arrived Tom was talking on the phone we convey the idea that the action in the past continuous started before the action in the simple past and probably continued after it.

Compare this combination with a combination of two simple past tenses, which normally indicates successive actions:

When he saw me he put the receiver down.

 

3 The past continuous can be used as an alternative to the simple past to indicate a more casual, less deliberate action:

I was talking to Tom the other day.

The past continuous here gives the impression that the action was in no way unusual or remarkable. It also tends to remove responsibility from the subject. In the above example it is not clear who started the conversation, and it does not matter.

Compare the contrast with the simple past tense:

I talked to Tom, which indicates that I took the initiative.

Similarly:

From four to six Tom was washing the car. This would indicate that this was a casual, possibly routine action.

Compare with:

From four to six Tom washed the car. (implying a deliberate action by Tom)

Note that continuous tenses are used only for apparently continuous uninterrupted actions. If we divide the action up, or say how many times it happened, we must use the simple past:

I talked to Tom several times. Tom washed both cars.

4 Polite inquiries.This use is even more polite and tentative than the simple past:

I was wondering if you could give me a lift.

In questions about how a period was spent, the continuous often appears more polite than the simple past:

What were you doing before you came here? sounds more polite than

What did you do before you came here?

On the other hand, What were you doing in my room? could indicate a feeling that I think you had no right to be there, while What did you do in my room? could never give this impression.

 

5 With the verbs think, hope the past continuous suggests uncertainty:

I was thinking of having a party next week.

I was hoping you’d like to come out with me.

6 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:

Sally was reading to the children while Kevin was washing up.

However, we can often use the past simple to express a similar meaning:

Mario worked in a restaurant while he lived in London.

 

7 Note the following sentence patterns in which we find the Past Indefinite and the Past Continuous used in different combinations with each other:

 

1) A complex sentence with a clause of time introduced by the conjunction as. Within that pattern there may be three different kinds of time relations between the action of the subordinate clause and that of the principal clause.

a) The actions of the two clauses are fully simultaneous. In this case the Past Indefinite is commonly found in both clauses.

I watched him as he drank his tea.

Roy talked little as they drove home.

Occasionally the Past Continuous is found in the principal clause whereas the Past Indefinite is still used in the clause of time. It usually happens when the verb in the principal clause is terminative and the Past Indefinite would indicate a completed action.

As I poured her out a glass of sherry, she was saying: "I always imagined you were older."

b) The actions of the principal and the subordinate clauses are partially simultaneous. In this case the action of the subordinate clause serves as a background for the action of the principal clause which is usually a shorter accomplished action. In this case we normally find the Past Continuous in the subordinate clause and the Past Indefinite in the principal clause.

As I was going inside, Mrs Drawbell intercepted me.

One evening, just as I was leaving the office, Martin rang me up.

c) The actions of the two clauses form a succession. In this case, naturally, only the Past Indefinite is found.

As the sun disappeared, a fresh breeze stirred the new curtains at the window.

As I turned back into the room a gust of wind crashed the door shut behind me.

 

2) A complex sentence with a clause of time introduced by the conjunction while. Here we find two different kinds of time relations between the actions of the two clauses.

a) The actions are fully simultaneous. In this case either the Past Continuous or the Past Indefinite is used in the subordinate clause and the Past Indefinite is normally found in the principal clause:

Martha said nothing but looked from one face to the other while they discussed plans.

She sat still as a statue while he was playing the sonata.

b) The actions are partially simultaneous. In this case the action of the subordinate clause serves as a background for the action of the principal clause which is a shorter accomplished action.So the Past Indefinite is used in the principal clause while in the subordinate clause either the Past Indefinite or the Past Continuous is found.

While I was reading, I heard a splash from the bath, and I realized that Martin must be there.

While he stood there wondering what sort of pictures to hang on the walls he heard the telephone ring.