Guest Posted 23 years ago
Grammar
Form, function and phonological aspects (Jeff)
I was asked to consider the form, function and phonological aspects of the following items.
1) I was having a bath when the phone rang
2) I wish I had worked harder.
I cannot get my head round this, can you help me please?
Thanks,
Jeff Featherstone
1) I was having a bath when the phone rang
2) I wish I had worked harder.
I cannot get my head round this, can you help me please?
Thanks,
Jeff Featherstone
Top answer
hmmm... 1) in the first sentence you have a progressive action (was having a bath) interrupted by sudden, singular outside action (the phone rang). i would be more likely to say i was "taking" a bath, rather than "having" one, but that might be the american in me speaking 2) this sentence expresses current (and possibly ongoing) regret.
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hmmm...
1) in the first sentence you have a progressive action (was having a bath) interrupted by sudden, singular outside action (the phone rang). i would be more likely to say i was "taking" a bath, rather than "having" one, but that might be the american in me speaking
2) this sentence expresses current (and possibly ongoing) regret. i wish NOW that i had worked harder TH
1) in the first sentence you have a progressive action (was having a bath) interrupted by sudden, singular outside action (the phone rang). i would be more likely to say i was "taking" a bath, rather than "having" one, but that might be the american in me speaking
2) this sentence expresses current (and possibly ongoing) regret. i wish NOW that i had worked harder TH
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