1)過去進(jìn)行時(shí)和一般過去時(shí)的基本差別是，過去進(jìn)行時(shí)表示一個(gè)正在進(jìn)行的動(dòng)作，而一般過去時(shí)表示一個(gè)業(yè)已完成的動(dòng)作。
試比較下面的句子：
She was knitting a sweater for Tom. 她在給湯姆織一件毛衣。
She knitted a sweater for Tom. 她給湯姆織了一件毛衣。
He was doing his homework in the afternoon. 下午他在做作業(yè)。
He did his homework in the afternoon. 下午他把作業(yè)做完了。
I was writing an essay. 我在寫一篇論文。(可能還沒寫完)
I wrote an essay yesterday. 我昨天寫了一篇論文。(已寫完)
They were building a skyscraper. 他們?cè)诮ㄒ蛔μ齑髽恰?在修建)
They built a skyscraper. 他們蓋了一座摩天大樓。(已蓋好)
2)有些動(dòng)詞本身并不表示動(dòng)作完成，如 rain, snow, cough, wear, feel, wait, stay, work等，這時(shí)用兩種時(shí)態(tài)意思上差別不大：
It snowed all night. 下了一整夜的雪。
It was snowing all night.
She wore a blue coat. 她穿著一件藍(lán)外套。
She was wearing a blue coat.
He felt a bit uneasy. 他感到有點(diǎn)不自在。
He was feeling a bit uneasy.
We stayed in a hotel. 我們住在旅館里。
We were staying in a hotel.
3)用進(jìn)行時(shí)態(tài)有時(shí)有感情色彩，特別是帶有always, forever, constantly這類狀語(yǔ)時(shí)，如：
He was always ringing up. 他總是給我打電話。(厭煩)
She was always working. 她總是不停地干活。(贊揚(yáng))
The old lady was forever grumbling. 這老太太老是嘀嘀咕咕。(厭煩)
He was constantly changing his mind. 他總是改變主意。(不以為然)
4)有時(shí)用進(jìn)行時(shí)表示現(xiàn)在的想法，可以顯得客氣一點(diǎn)，如：
I was wondering whether you could give me some advice. 不知你能否幫我出點(diǎn)主意。
I was thinking maybe he could go by taxi. 我在想或許他可以坐的士去。
I was hoping you could reconsider our proposal. 我希望你能再考慮一下我們的建議。
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