…Sherlock Holmes I’m Holmes…

I investigate the past…

and Past Continuous. Past Simple

You can use the past simple to talk about something that started and finished in the past. You often know when it happened. remembering…

Past Simple You often know when it happened. positive form I/You/He/She/It/We/You/They investigated.

Past Simple You often know when it happened. negative form I/You/He/She/It/We/You/They didn’t investigate.

Past Simple You often know when it happened. questions Did you investigate?

Past Simple You often know when it happened. short answers Yes, I did. No, I didn’t.

Past Continuous The past continuous shows a longer action/situation. The past simple shows a shorter action which happened during the longer action/situation.

Past Continuous Interrogative Affirmative Negative Subject + was/were + gerund Subject + was/were + not + gerund Was/were + subject + gerund He was murdering. He wasn’t murdering. Was he murdering?

Past Continuous There are some verbs (for example, know/want/believe) that are not normally used in the continuous: We were good friends. We knew each other well (not “we were knowing”). I was enjoying the party but Chris wanted to go home.

Past Continuous We use the past continuous to describe a past action over a period of time What were they doing yesterday? They were working all day.

Past Continuous Past simple and past continuous are used together when something happened in the middle of something else. When I was having breakfast, the phone suddenly rang.

Past Continuous We use the past continuous to say that somebody was in the middle of doing something at a certain time. The action or situation had already started before this time but had not finished. Last night at 6 PM, I was eating dinner. Important: Last night at 6 PM, I ate dinner. I STARTED EATING AT 6 PM. Last night at 6 PM, I was eating dinner. I STARTED EARLIER; AND AT 6 PM, I WAS IN PROCESS OF EATING DINNER.

Past Continuous Two actions happening at the same time (in the past). While she was preparing dinner, he was washing the dishes.

Past Continuous Compare the past continuous (I was doing) and past simple (I did): Past continuous (in the middle of an action)‏ I was walking home when I met Dave. (in the middle of walking home)‏ Ann was watching television when the phone rang. Past simple (complete action)‏ I walked home after the party last night. Ann watched televison a lot when she was ill last year

Past Continuous · We use the past simple to say that one thing happened after another: I was walking along the road when I saw Dave. So I stopped and we had a chat. · Compare: When Karen arrived, we were having dinner (we had already started dinner before Karen arrived). When Karen arrived, we had dinner. (first Karen arrived and then we had dinner)

Past Continuous We also use past continuous to make polite requests: I was hoping we could discuss a pay raise. I was wondering if you had time to see me.

Example a short story…

Hum… I’m terribly sorry… What were you saying? I wasn’t listening… Someone stole the time in Bakerly’s home. We should investigate? Elementary dear Watson

In Bakerly’s home What were you doing last night at 10:25, Ms. Bakerly? I was having dinner with the Parksons. I think that she has a good alibi, Mr. Holmes... Maybe !

Parksons’ home What were you doing last night at 10:25, Ms. Parksons? Well, I was trying to read last night around 10:15 when my husband went to the club. What time did you have dinner yesterday. Ms Parksons? I had dinner at 8:00, with my husband.

At the same time in the club I’m sorry, yesterday the club was closed all day. ¿?

I am a busy person, Mr Watson Only a question, Mr Parkson? What were you doing last night at 10:25 ? I was walking to the club while I thought in my business.

Dear Holmes, Who lies? Ms Bakerly said us: she was dinning with Mr and Ms Parkson last night. Ms Parkson said you: She was dinning with her husband and she was trying to read when her husband went to the club. The waiter said me: The club was closed all day. And Mr Parkson said that he was walking to the club. I don’t know who is the thief of the time, but I can think who hasn’t lost. Certainly. Ms Bakerly and Mr Parksons. Elementary dear Watson ! 221B de Baker Street

Can you tell me: Where were you last night when all this was happening? tHe EnD