過(guò)去進(jìn)行時(shí)(The Past Continuous)主要表示過(guò)去某個(gè)時(shí)刻正在進(jìn)行的動(dòng)作,由be動(dòng)詞的過(guò)去式加現(xiàn)在分詞構(gòu)成。
2.1 過(guò)去進(jìn)行時(shí)的構(gòu)成
肯定句:主語(yǔ) + was/were + 現(xiàn)在分詞...
否定句:主語(yǔ) + was/were + not + 現(xiàn)在分詞...
疑問句:Was/Were + 主語(yǔ) + 現(xiàn)在分詞...?
疑問代詞/疑問副詞 + was/were + 主語(yǔ) + 現(xiàn)在分詞...?
2.2 過(guò)去進(jìn)行時(shí)的肯定句
句型:主語(yǔ) + was/were + 現(xiàn)在分詞...
過(guò)去進(jìn)行時(shí)的構(gòu)成方式:
All the pupils were writing their homework in the classroom then.那時(shí),所有的小學(xué)生都在教室里寫作業(yè)。
By the time we got there,it was already getting dark.等我們趕到那里時(shí),天已經(jīng)黑下來(lái)了。
2.3 過(guò)去進(jìn)行時(shí)的否定句
句型:主語(yǔ) + was/were + not + 現(xiàn)在分詞...
過(guò)去進(jìn)行時(shí)的否定句是在助動(dòng)詞was/were后加not,后接現(xiàn)在分詞:
They were not playing basketball,but playing volleyball.他們不是在打籃球,而是打排球。
2.4 過(guò)去進(jìn)行時(shí)的一般疑問句
句型: Was/Were + 主語(yǔ) + 現(xiàn)在分詞...?
回答方式:Yes,主語(yǔ) + was/were...
No,主語(yǔ) + was/were + not...
過(guò)去進(jìn)行時(shí)的一般疑問句是將助動(dòng)詞was/were置于主語(yǔ)之前(大寫was/were的第一個(gè)字母),在句尾加問號(hào);這種語(yǔ)序是主語(yǔ)和謂語(yǔ)倒裝語(yǔ)序:
Were you having dinner when they came? —Yes,we were./No,we weren't.他們來(lái)的時(shí)候,你們是否在吃飯? ——是的,在吃飯。/不,不在吃飯。
2.5 過(guò)去進(jìn)行時(shí)的特殊疑問句
句型:疑問代詞(主語(yǔ)) + was/were + 現(xiàn)在分詞...?
疑問代詞/疑問副詞 + was/were + 主語(yǔ) + 現(xiàn)在分詞...?
過(guò)去進(jìn)行時(shí)的特殊疑問句是將疑問代詞/疑問副詞置于助動(dòng)詞was/were之前(was/were的第一個(gè)字母無(wú)需大寫),和一般疑問句差不多,在句尾加問號(hào);這種語(yǔ)序是主語(yǔ)和謂語(yǔ)倒裝語(yǔ)序。就主語(yǔ)提問時(shí),將疑問代詞或帶有疑問限定詞的名詞詞組置于助動(dòng)詞was/were之前,在句尾加問號(hào);這種語(yǔ)序是陳述句語(yǔ)序:
Who was singing last night? —Tom was singing last night.昨晚是誰(shuí)在唱歌? (就主語(yǔ)提問)——是湯姆。
What was she doing when he called? —She was reading when he called.當(dāng)他來(lái)訪時(shí),她在做什么? ——她在看書。(就賓語(yǔ)提問)
What was that man doing in your room? 那個(gè)男人在你房間里做什么? (就賓語(yǔ)提問)
現(xiàn)在進(jìn)行時(shí)和過(guò)去進(jìn)行時(shí)的構(gòu)成方式的比較:
2.6 過(guò)去進(jìn)行時(shí)的基本用法
1.表示過(guò)去某個(gè)時(shí)刻或某一階段正在進(jìn)行的動(dòng)作
常和表示過(guò)去時(shí)間的狀語(yǔ)如then(那時(shí)),at this(that)time(在這時(shí)/那時(shí)),yesterday(昨天),last year(去年)等連用。但在不少情況下,沒有表示時(shí)間的狀語(yǔ),此時(shí)需通過(guò)上下文來(lái)表示:
What were you doing at about 4 o'clock yesterday afternoon? —I was listening to music.昨天下午4點(diǎn)鐘左右你在做什么? ——我在聽音樂。
Jane was working on her homework last night.簡(jiǎn)昨晚在寫作業(yè)。
2.在某事(動(dòng)作)發(fā)生前開始的動(dòng)作
過(guò)去進(jìn)行時(shí)和一般過(guò)去時(shí)經(jīng)常在一個(gè)句子里使用。用過(guò)去進(jìn)行時(shí)表示過(guò)去正在進(jìn)行的動(dòng)作。過(guò)去進(jìn)行時(shí)可用于主句,亦可用于從句:
Just as I was leaving the house,the telephone rang.我正要出門,電話鈴響了。(用于從句)
He broke his leg when he was playing football.他踢足球的時(shí)候把腿傷了。(用于從句)
She was reading when he called.他來(lái)訪時(shí),她正在看書。(用于主句)
3.表示同時(shí)進(jìn)行的動(dòng)作
While you were writing letters,I was reading a book.你寫信的時(shí)候,我在看書。
While we were having breakfast,John was talking on the tele-phone.我們吃早飯的時(shí)候,約翰在打電話。
4.表示過(guò)去將來(lái)的動(dòng)作
過(guò)去進(jìn)行時(shí)亦可表示從過(guò)去某時(shí)間看將要發(fā)生的動(dòng)作。常用在間接引語(yǔ)中:
She was leaving early the next morning.第二天一早她就要離開此地了。(從過(guò)去某時(shí)間看)
She asked whether he was coming back for lunch.她問他晚飯是否回家來(lái)吃。(用于間接引語(yǔ)中)
We were coming to see you,but it rained(so we didn't).我們本預(yù)備來(lái)看你,只是下雨了。
5.表示客氣的詢問
用過(guò)去進(jìn)行時(shí)比用一般過(guò)去時(shí)更客氣,更不肯定。
I was wondering about it.我對(duì)那事感到疑惑。
I was wondering how to get there quickly/where to spend the weekend.我想知道怎樣才能迅速到達(dá)那里/在何處度周末。
2.7 過(guò)去進(jìn)行時(shí)和一般過(guò)去時(shí)的區(qū)別
過(guò)去進(jìn)行時(shí)表示過(guò)去某時(shí)正在進(jìn)行的動(dòng)作,強(qiáng)調(diào)動(dòng)作的連續(xù)性。一般過(guò)去時(shí)表示一個(gè)完成的動(dòng)作,即用一般過(guò)去時(shí)只表示有過(guò)這件事或比較短暫的動(dòng)作:
He talked to his girlfriend on the phone yesterday.昨天他和女朋友通過(guò)電話。
He was talking to his girlfriend on the phone when I came in.我進(jìn)來(lái)時(shí),他在和女朋友通電話。
It rained yesterday.昨天下過(guò)雨。(不一定是一整天)