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Another usage about the past progressive

Posted on 2006-01-03 20:39  柚子Nan  阅读(567)  评论(1)    收藏  举报

Do you think the following three sentences have some grammatical errors?

 

I was hoping to leave early today. Will that be a problem?

I was thinking first thing in the morning would be a good time to meet.

Hello, my name is Mr. Koffer. I don't have an appointment, but I was wondering if I could speak to Mr. John for a moment.

 

"Was/were hoping/wondering/thinking" softens a request/question/suggestion.

 

The past progressive is used to say that something was happening at a particular time in the past. However, the past progressive of certain nonaction verbs softens statements, requests, suggestions, and questions, making them less direct and more polite.