6.4.4. The progressive form representing simultaneous When the progressive form is used in the two clauses, the main clause and the subordinate clause, it expresses the simultaneous act, since the durative acts are overlapped. See the following examples. (42) a. You were watching TV while we were working. b. While (he was) waiting, he was reading a book. If (42a) is taken as the sample, "you were watching TV" and "we were working2 are on the same time line. These time representation is as follows. (43) The subordinate clauses are parallel to M (*29). The durative time line of the above expresses not only E but also M. *29 Since they express the time which is subordinate to the main clause, they are parallel to M. In view of the main clause, they are implicated in speaker's mind. Now, the different meanings are shown if the progressive form is used in either clause. See the following examples which it is used in the main clauses. (44) a. She was working when I visited her. b. When I last saw her, she was walking through the street. At the point of the adverb clauses, the acts of the main clauses had been already occurring. Moreover, see the following examples which the progressive form is used in the adverb clauses. (45) a. They arrived while we were having dinner. b. He saw an accident while he was driving home. During the adverb clause, the acts of the main clause had already occurred.

Copyright (c) EnglishCafe : Unapproved printing of the text and figure in this site is forbidden.