What’s your predominant problem with talking English fluently?
A key signal of a fluent speaker is having the ability to categorical your advanced ideas utilizing appropriate grammar.
Hear in at present as Lindsay and Aubrey share recommendations on utilizing the previous progressive appropriately in English.
What had been you doing?
Aubrey asks Lindsay what she was doing earlier than they began recording.
Lindsay responds that she was catching up on emails initially of her day.
This is able to seemingly be a standard reply for many individuals.
It’s superb how e mail can take over your day.
Lindsay then asks Aubrey the identical query.
Aubrey responds that she did a Peloton trip that morning.
She shares that it’s enjoyable to do stay rides however she additionally joins prerecorded courses.
This dialog included previous progressive grammar constructions.
That is the continuation of a two-part collection about previous progressive, typically known as previous steady.
Previous progressive sentence construction
The previous progressive tense is used for interrupted actions or simultaneous actions.
Lindsay and Aubrey dive into these two methods to make use of previous progressive tense with examples.
#1: Once I was doing one thing, one thing else occurred.
The primary a part of the sentence is an adverb clause, and the second half is an unbiased clause.
The construction appears to be like like this:
whereas/when + topic + previous progressive [was/were + verb-ing] + topic + previous easy verb
Instance:
- Once I was consuming breakfast, I spilled my orange juice.
- Whereas I used to be fixing the automotive, she handed me instruments and saved me firm.
It’s essential to notice that you need to at all times use a comma after an adverb clause when it comes in the beginning of a sentence.
It is because an adverb clause that begins a sentence is taken into account an introductory component and requires a comma to separate it from the principle clause.
#2: I did one thing whereas one thing else was occurring.
The primary a part of the sentence is an unbiased clause, and the second half is an adverb clause.
The construction appears to be like like this:
topic + previous easy verb + whereas/when + topic + previous progressive [was/were + verb-ing]
With this flipped construction, no comma is required.
Instance:
- You known as me after I was procuring.
- He obtained dwelling whereas I used to be making dinner.
Roleplay
Here’s a fast roleplay from Lindsay and Aubrey utilizing the vocabulary and suggestions shared in at present’s episode.
This can enable you higher perceive what you discovered at present in an English dialog.
On this situation, Lindsay and Aubrey are classmates and Aubrey missed class final week.
Lindsay: The place had been you final week?
Aubrey: I went to the seashore. It was superb.
Lindsay: What?! I used to be caught in school when you had been taking part in on the seashore?!
Aubrey: I’m sorry! Really, although… Can I get your notes?
Lindsay: Critically?!
Aubrey: I’ll owe you one! Once I was hanging out on the sand, I believed ‘I hope Lindsay is taking notes so I can get them from her.’
Lindsay: I guess! Properly, I’ve to overlook class later this month so make sure you take copious notes to share with me.
Takeaway
English grammar constructions will be complicated.
Previous progressive is used to emphasise the period of a previous motion.
It’s used for interrupted or simultaneous actions.
Being conscious of grammar constructions like previous progressive tense can enhance fluency and readability in English communication.
You don’t wish to use uneven sentences that received’t convey your ideas correctly.
Try Half 1 of the collection: AEE 2360: Your Grammar Questions Answered: Previous Easy or Previous Progressive?
In it, you’ll study further grammar guidelines to grasp previous progressive verb tense.
What are different grammar constructions do you wish to study extra about?
Tell us within the feedback beneath.
