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<jaybel>
Posted   Edit or Delete MessageReport This Post  
Hello..

Which of the following are correct? I was told that the no. 1 is correct..but why?????

1) We watched TV all evening.
2) We were watching TV all evening.

Why is no. 2 incorrect. Here also one is describing an activity/action in progress during the whole evening.
Thanks in advance Smile
<Grammar Exchange 2>
Posted   Edit or Delete MessageReport This Post  
Sentence 2 is also correct, but it means something different from Sentence 1. In Sentence 1, the action of watching TV is being depicted as a compressed, self-contained event "” a neat "package."

Sentence 2 depicts the watching as an ongoing activity more than as a complete event. Yes, the activity came to an end, but it is the feature of "action in progress" that is being highlighted. It suggests that if you had taken a snapshot of the grammatical subjects at any point during the evening you would have found them watching TV. It is the duration of the watching that is being highlighted.

Marilyn
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    Grammar Exchange    Grammar Exchange  Hop To Forum Categories  The Grammar Exchange  Hop To Forums  Questions and Answers    Past Simple or Past Continuous