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You are here: Home / Lessons / Difference between simple and continuous tense forms

Difference between simple and continuous tense forms

January 23, 2012 - pdf

Continuous tenses are often used to talk about more temporary actions and situations. To talk about longer-lasting or permanent situations we prefer simple tenses.

Note that sometimes both forms are possible in the same situation, with a slight difference of emphasis.

Compare:

  • I was tired because I had been walking for a long time. (Here the past perfect continuous form is used to talk about a relatively long but temporary action or situation.)
  • The castle had stood on the hill for 500 years. (Here the past perfect tense form is used to talk about a permanent situation.)

Progressive forms put an emphasis on the continuity of an activity. Simple and perfect verb forms, on the other hand, emphasize the idea of completion.

  • I had been playing video games for a long time. (Here the emphasis is on the continuity of the situation.)
  • I had watched all the videos. (Here the emphasis is on the idea of completion.)

Some verbs are not normally used in continuous forms. Examples are: believe, doubt, imagine, know, love, hate, prefer, realize, remember, suppose, understand, want and wish.

  • I had known her for a very long time before we got married. (NOT I had been knowing her for a long time before we got married.)
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