past simple or past continuous

[dilodi83]

When doing an exercise I came across this sentence:
- Sorry I couldn't come on Friday, but I.....................(to work) on my project.

I had to choose between the past simple (worked) and the past continuous (was working) and I finally chose the past simple because I figured out that the action was linked to "on Friday", so it should be over. But, in the answer key part, I read that only the past continuous is correct in this case. What do you think about it? Do not you think the action may be seen as a finished one too?


And, by the way, could the past perfect continuous (had been working) be possible in this sentence?

Thanks so much for your answers.

[virus99]

Hi!

Not a teacher.

The simple past continuous also happend in the past and is ended. You stress with the progressive form the duration of your work and not only the fact that you have worked. So, when the meeting was on Friday, you were busy working and couldn't join.

"Had been working" wouldn't fit here because your work and the meeting on Friday happend at the same time in the past and therefore you weren't able to join your friends.

Please correct me if I am wrong. Corrections are always appreciated.

[5jj]

You can very often answer this sort of question by putting yourself back in time.

Did you say, "I am sorry I can't come, but I work" or "...but I am working"? It should be clear that only the second is natural; so put the whole thing in the past and we have,

Sorry I couldn't come on Friday, but I was working ... .