interpretive use of the progressive

Question

Hello: everyoneI have a question about the English progressive form. In the following two conversation examples, which one is more appropriate and why?Example1:"Were you lying when you said that?""No, I was telling the truth"Example2:"Were you lying when you said that?" "No, I told the truth"If both sentences are acceptable, what's the difference between them?thank you.

Fandorin · Accepted Answer

Hi, guzhao67.

guzhao67Hello: everyone
I have a question about the English progressive form. In the following two conversation examples, which one is more appropriate and why?
Example1:
"Were you lying when you said that?"
"No, I was telling the truth". It's alright. When you use Progressive you emphasize the event like a process in the period of time in the past.
Example2:
"Were you lying when you said that?"
"No, I told the truth". It emphasizes the fact that "I told you the truth".
If both sentences are acceptable, what's the difference between them? Yes, they are. The difference is in duration of event in the past. Depends on what you want to say.
thank you.

Compare these:

What are you doing this time yesterday? - I was reading the newspaper and my mother was cooking the dinner.

What did you do yesterday? - I spoke to my friend yesterday and my dad slept.

AlpheccaStars · Answer

It is natural to give the answer in the same form as the question:
1) Were you lying yesterday?
No. I wasn't lying, I was telling the truth.
2) Did you lie yesterday?
No, I didn't. I told the truth.

Lakshwadeep · Answer

I agree with alphecca that people usually respond in the same form, but either way is can still be used. "I told the truth" sounds more direct, and it contrasts with the "were you lying". "I was telling the truth" sounds like you were explaining something that was complex.

Guzhao67 · Answer

Thank you all for your kink reply.

interpretive use of the progressive

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4 Answers

Fandorin

AlpheccaStars

Lakshwadeep

Guzhao67