沪江

过去进行时在应用时应注意的问题

使用过去进行时应注意的几点:
一、过去进行时的基本用法,过去进行时主要表示过去某一时间正在进行的动作。如:
He fell asleep when he was reading. 他看书时睡着了。
We were expecting you yesterday. 我们昨天一直在等你。
He was playing while I was studying. 我在做功课时他在玩。

二、过去进行时可表示按计划、安排过去某时刻将要发生的动作。如:
He said they were leaving for Beijing this afternoon. 他说他今天下午要去北京。

三、动词hope, wonder等的过去进行时常用来表示提出要求,虽然表示现在的内容,但语气比一般现在时或一般过去时要委婉。如:
I was wondering whether you could come to join us. 我想你能否过来跟我们一起活动?
I was wondering if you could give me a lift. 我不知你能否让我搭一下车。
We were hoping you would stay with us. 我们很希望你能跟我们住在一起。
How much did you want to spend, sir? 先生,您打算花多少钱?
注:一般过去时也有类似用法,但比较而言,用过去进行时显得更客气,更不肯定。

四、与现在进行时相似,过去进行时中有always, forever, continually, constantly等副词修饰时,表示说话人的满意、赞赏、惊讶或厌烦的感情色彩。如:
He was always thinking of others. 他总是想到人家。
They were always quarreling. 他们老是吵架。
The boy was continually asking questions. 这个男孩子老是问东问西的。

五、注意动词be的过去进行时
动词be的进行时也可表示过去一时的表现或暂时的状态。比较:
He was friendly. 他很友好。(指过去长期如此)
He was being friendly. 他当时显得很友好。(指当时一时的表现)