17 過去進行時態(tài)的基本用法 Track17
用法1:用來描述一個過去特定的時刻正在發(fā)生的事情。
a. I was discussing my thesis with my director at this time last night. (特定時刻)
b. A: What were you doing at 10 o'clock last night?
B: I was having dinner with my friends.
用法2:過去進行時態(tài)還常常和一般過去時配合使用。此時,過去進行時態(tài)通常表示一個歷時較長的體現(xiàn)“背景”的動作或狀態(tài);而一般過去時態(tài)則表示此“背景”下發(fā)生的、短暫的動作或狀態(tài)。過去進行時態(tài)動作先發(fā)生,一般過去時態(tài)動作后發(fā)生。
a. Mrs. Jones was still cleaning the house when her husband came back from work. She was wearing dirty, old clothes and no stockings; her hair was not tidy; she had dust on her face, and she looked dirty and tired. Her husband looked at her and said, “Is this what I come home to see after a hard day's work?”
瓊斯太太在她丈夫下班回家的時候仍在打掃房間。她穿一身又臟又舊的衣服,沒穿長筒襪,披頭散發(fā),滿臉灰塵,顯得又臟又累。丈夫看見她這副模樣就說:“難道我辛苦工作了一天,回到家就為了看你這副模樣嗎?”
b. The phone rang while I was having my bath, as usual.
像往常一樣,我正在洗澡,電話鈴響了。
c. I cut my f inger when I was cooking dinner last night.
昨晚做飯時我割了手指。
d. I was watching TV when the phone rang.
我當時正在看電視,這時電話鈴響了。
試比較:
e. I was telephoning Harry when she arrived.
(在我打電話過程中,她到了。先telephone,后arrive)
f. I telephoned Harry when she arrived.
(她到之后,我才打電話。先arrive,后telephone)