Which choice can complete the sentence below?

We ______ the movie at 7:30 yesterday evening.

(A)had seen
(B)were seeing
(C)saw


Thanks!

This message has been edited. Last edited by: Joan,

Sentence C is correct, Joan.

Sentence A might also be correct if there is the right context, that is, if there is another event that happened afterwards:

We had seen the movie at 7:30, so we diden't want to see it again at 9:30.

But even so, it's strage to say that we 'saw / had seen' a movie at 7:30. We'd probably say:

The movie started at 7:30

or

We saw the 7:30 movie.
_______

'See a movie' is OK, but to 'see' it at a certain moment is not natural. If you want to use the progressive form of the verb, as in your sentence B, try:

We were watching the movie at 7:30 when the lights went out.

quote:

See a movie' is OK, but to 'see' it at a certain moment is not natural. If you want to use the progressive form of the verb, as in your sentence B, try:

Dear Rachel:

How about the example sentence from the Merriam-Webster's Advanced Learner's Dictionary Online( http://www.learnersdictionary.com/search/see) at the 5th definition of see :

We are seeing a play tonight.

This message has been edited. Last edited by: Joan,

(A): Please refer to Rachel's answer.

(B): Possible to me, if we keep in mind the question What were you doing at that time? (... the movie [at 7:30 yesterday evening])

(C): Less acceptable, as it is, than (B) to me, unless the whole sentence reads this way ... [the movie at 7:30] (i.e. the 7:30 movie) [yesterday evening].

This message has been edited. Last edited by: Chuncan Feng,

In the Merriam-Webster dictionary, 'we are seeing' is used in a diffent way than 'were seeing' in your example sentence, Joan.

'We are seeing' is a present progressive verb used to express a future plan. It means 'we are going to see.'

'See' would not be used in the progressive to express what you are doing at a particular moment. If asked 'What are you doing,' you would respond, 'We are watching a movie.'

Your sentence refers to past time, Joan. You would not normally say We were seeing a movie., as I noted previously.

According to my quick search findings based on BNC, the verbs that go with movie most frequently appear to be make,watch and go to. The verb see goes much less frequently with movie than watch.

Interesting point, Chuncan Feng. Thanks.

Dear Rachel,
Is this possible?
(A) What were you supposed to do at 7:30 yesterday evening?
(B) We were seeing the movie.

No, Yun, the sentence is not possible. Speaker B does not answer the question of Speaker A.

Speaker A asks what Speaker B was supposed to do at a time in the past. It means, 'What was the expectation for you to do at that time? Did you do it?'

So Speaker B would have to say something like, I was supposed to call you, but I forgot.'

Speaker B might also say, 'I was supposed to call you, but I forgot because we were at the movie/ watching the movie (on TV at home).