The use of the Past Continuous
1. The Past Continuous is used to denote an action which was going on at a definite moment in the past.
It was twelve and he was still sitting, when the presence of Cowperwood was
announced. (Dreiser)
The definite moment is indicated either by another past action expressed by a verb in the Past Indefinite or by an adverbial phrase.
When I returned,she was sweepingthe floor. (Bennett)
At midnight he was still working, though he was feelingill and was longing
to go to bed.
The definite moment is often not expressed, but understood from the situation.
He did not notice what was going on around him — he was reading.
The Past Continuous is used to denote a certain state or quality peculiar to the person at a given moment in the past.
He knew he was beingscientific and restrained. (Cronin)
2. The Past Continuous or the Past Indefinite is often used after such phrases as the whole day, all day long.
They were workingin the garden all day long.
They worked inthe garden all day long.
3. The Past Continuous is used to denote an action thought of as a continual process. In this case the adverbs always, ever, constantly are used. The Past Continuous in this use is often to be found in emotional speech.
She was constantly complainingof being lonely. (Shaw)
He was never able to look after his flowers at all, for his friend, the Miller,
was always coming roundand sendinghim off on long errands or getting
him to help on the mill. (Wilde)
The Past Continuous is rendered in Russian by the past imperfective.
When I came home, she was cookingdinner.
Когда я вернулся, она готовилаобед.
THE FUTURE CONTINUOUS
The formation of the Future Continuous.
1. The Future Continuous is formed by means of the Future Indefinite of the auxiliary verb to be and Participle I of the notional verb.
2. In the interrogative form the first auxiliary verb is placed before the subject.
In the negative form the negative particle not is placed after the first auxiliary verb.
| Affirmative | Interrogative | Negative |
| I shall be reading He will be reading She will be reading We shall be reading You will be reading They will be reading | Shall I be reading? Will he be reading? Will she be reading? Shall we be reading? Will you be reading? Will they be reading | I shall not be reading He will not be reading She will not be reading We shall not be reading You will not be reading They will not be reading |
3. The contracted affirmative forms are:
I’ll be reading
He’ll be reading
The contracted negative forms are:
I shan’t be reading
He won’t be reading
4. The negative-interrogative forms are:
Shall I not be reading?
Shan’t I be reading?
Will he not be-reading?
Won’t he be reading?
The use of the Future Continuous.
1. The Future Continuous is used to denote an action which will be going on at a definite moment in the future.
I wonder whether we shall ever arrive at a decision. I am sure the next time
you call we shallstill be wavering. (Collins)
The definite moment is indicated either by another future action expressed by a verb in the Present Indefinite or by an adverbial phrase.
I shallalready be working when you return.
At 12 o’clock I shallstill be working.
The definite moment is often not expressed, but is understood from the situation.
I am sure you won’t be able to speak to him, he will be working.
2. The Future Continuous can have a modal colouring: it candenote an action which is sure to take place, often independently of the will of the speaker and the doer of the action.
I feel I shall be askingyou the same question tomorrow.
But my dear Ann Veronica, you will be gettinginto debt. (Wells)
THE FUTURE CONTINUOUS IN THE PAST