Past Continuous

[Unregistered]

Hi!
My friend says that we cannot use the following sentences:
" She was not understanding"
"I was calling"

I too at times feel that such usages are grammatically incorrect. But at times I feel we can use them. Please throw some light on this. I would be glad if you can mail to my id EMAIL REMOVED - Send PM to This User Instead.

Thanks & Regards,
Deepika.

[David L.]

She was not understanding.
I was calling.


I will post my reply here so everyone can see and maybe add their comments, and also send a PM to the person who posted this question.
No, not on their own, out of some context in a longer sentence. But look at these sentences:

He was trying his best to explain Einstein's Theory of General Relativity, but it was clear from the look on her face that she was not understanding very much of it.

I tried to explain I was late for work because one of the children was ill, but she was not very understanding. (= she was not empathetic, by imagining herself in the same position of having to take care of a sick child, and so being sympathetic towards her and appreciating that in such a circumstances, one might indeed be late for work. Instead, the boss ("she") was cold, and took the line, employees should be at work on time.)

I was calling and calling. Where were you?
I was calling to see if you would like to come to dinner next Saturday.

Oh dear. This person is unregistered so that I can't send them a PM! Hopefully, they will come back to the forum when they are able, to check to see what replies they have had.

[Massaga]

She was not understanding.
I was calling.

No, not on their own, out of some context in a longer sentence. But look at these sentences:

He was trying his best to explain Einstein's Theory of General Relativity, but it was clear from the look on her face that she was not understanding very much of it.

I tried to explain I was late for work because one of the children was ill, but she was not very understanding. (= she was not empathetic, by imagining herself in the same position of having to take care of a sick child, and so being sympathetic towards her and appreciating that in such a circumstances, one might indeed be late for work. Instead, the boss ("she") was cold, and took the line, employees should be at work on time.)

I was calling and calling. Where were you?
I was calling to see if you would like to come to dinner next Saturday.

Hello David,

I always get confused with some small things when it comes to english language some times. Can ypu tell me the difference between these sentences please:

I was calling to see if you would like to come TO dinner next Saturday
I was calling to see if you would like to come FOR dinner next Saturday

[David L.]

No, Massaga, that's a very good question. I remember when I was learning German, and trying to fathom (=comprehend, understand), the differences in meaning of slight variations in sentences.
The two ways of saying it are interchangeable. If I really stretch my brain, then inviting someone to "come to dinner" is just a little more formal than "come for dinner".
In high society, when someone holds a formal dinner party, where the guests would at least be wearing suits, if not tuxedos, then I would think that the invitation would always be "to come to dinner." If I was asking a good friend, I would more likely say, "How about coming round for dinner on Tuesday?"

PS I always get confused with some small things when it comes to english language some times.
Do you always get confused, or just sometimes? (lol)
I sometimes ( not 'some times') get confused with some small things when it comes to the English language.
Don't be frightened to post a question on your own, rather than tacking it on (=joining it on to) someone else's post.

[Massaga]

No, Massaga, that's a very good question. I remember when I was learning German, and trying to fathom (=comprehend, understand), the differences in meaning of slight variations in sentences.
The two ways of saying it are interchangeable. If I really stretch my brain, then inviting someone to "come to dinner" is just a little more formal than "come for dinner".
In high society, when someone holds a formal dinner party, where the guests would at least be wearing suits, if not tuxedos, then I would think that the invitation would always be "to come to dinner." If I was asking a good friend, I would more likely say, "How about coming round for dinner on Tuesday?"

PS I always get confused with some small things when it comes to english language some times.
Do you always get confused, or just sometimes? (lol)
I sometimes ( not 'some times') get confused with some small things when it comes to the English language.
Don't be frightened to post a question on your own, rather than tacking it on (=joining it on to) someone else's post.

David,
Wow!!. I thank you for the perpetual assistance. I really feel so blessed as I do keep on benefiting through the mistakes or an errors I have made on my sentences

Be blessed