Hi, Martin - I teach it as an interrupted action.  The action in the past progressive started before the action that interrupted it (usually simple past) and probably continued after the interruption. 
  ----- Original Message ----- 
  From: Martin Senger 
  To: The Adult English Language Learners Discussion List 
  Sent: Friday, February 06, 2009 9:36 AM
  Subject: [EnglishLanguage 3851] uses of the past progressive/continuous


  Pax et bonum! (peace & goodness)

   

  Does anyone have good (clear) explanations for why we use the past progressive/continuous verb (i.e. She was reading the newspaper.)?

   

  I have several theories of my own, but would like to hear what other ESL teachers think.

   

  Thanx!

   

  Martin E. Senger

  Adult ESL / Civics Teacher,

  G.E.C.A.C. / The R. Benjamin Wiley Learning Center

  Erie, Pa.

  Co-Director,

  ESL Special Interest Group

  Pa. Assoc. for Adult Continuing Education (PAACE)

   

  From: englishlanguage-bounces at nifl.gov [mailto:englishlanguage-bounces at nifl.gov] On Behalf Of LaFerlazzo at aol.com
  Sent: Friday, February 06, 2009 5:06 AM
  To: undisclosed-recipients
  Subject: [EnglishLanguage 3850] Re: Best Sites For Lesson Plans,Smoking Dangers, Social Media Search

   

  Here are a few more "The Best..." lists:

   

  The Best Places To Find Free (And Good) Lesson Plans On The Internet 
  (http://tinyurl.com/ahlapy)

   

  Not “The Best,” But “A List” Of Search Engines For Social Media 
  (http://tinyurl.com/debsg2)

   

  The Best Sites For ELL’s To Learn About The Dangers Of Smoking
  (http://tinyurl.com/ah4u4j)

   

  The Best Sites Where ELL’s Can Learn About The Super Bowl 
  (http://tinyurl.com/c7ou2p)

   

  Part Thirty Of The Best Ways To Create Online Content Easily & Quickly 
  (http://tinyurl.com/b9gvop)

   

  The Best Resources For Chinese New Year
  (http://tinyurl.com/b6fls3)

   

  The Best Resources For Groundhog Day 
  (http://tinyurl.com/de6cv8)

   

  Larry Ferlazzo

  Luther Burbank High School

  Sacramento, CA

   

   

   


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