Hello everyone,
In the following sentence, why is the past continuous (was standing) used?
I wonder because I think you usually say like “The building stood.” not “The building was standing.”
If the past simple is used in the following sentence (the building still stood), how different will the meaning become?
“He was worried as to whether the building was still standing until he saw it with his own eyes.”
Thank you for your help in advance!
Aikamama
Here, the past continuous as compared to the simple past indicates the speaker’s interest or emotional involvement, I think. It also suggests duration, which is part of what concerns the speaker about the building.
Dear Mister Micawber,
Thank you very much for the answer!
But I’m afraid that I couldn’t grasp its meaning entirely.
Does the past continuous indicate the speaker is more emotionaly involved in
the building, as opposed to the past simple that suggests that the speaker
remains objective to the building?
About the duration part, I have no clue. Excuse me, but would you please give
me a little bit more detailed explanation?
I’d appreciate your help!
Aikamama
Does the past continuous indicate the speaker is more emotionally involved in
the building, as opposed to the past simple that suggests that the speaker
remains objective to the building?— Yes. That is one of the functions of the continuous aspect.
About the duration part, I have no clue. Excuse me, but would you please give
me a little bit more detailed explanation?-- Continuous aspect carries a feeling of duration—of the length of time the action involves—that simple aspect does not. When a speaker is thinking more of the length of time of the condition or act than the simple existence of the condition or act (here, of the standing building), then it shows more interest or involvement in the topic or setting of the conversation. The speaker may be interested in the building itself, or s/he may be interested in telling the listener a good story, for instance.
Mister Micawber,
Is this sentence meaningful and correct?
“His mother was worried as to whether he was still studying until she saw him with her own eyes.”
Yes, that seems fine.
Dear Mister Micawber,
Thank you very much for the clear explanation! And I’m so sorry for my belated response.
I have finally understood the difference. I really appreciate your help!
Aikamama