Ju
Key Member
- Joined
- Nov 6, 2006
- Member Type
- Student or Learner
- Native Language
- Chinese
- Home Country
- Hong Kong
- Current Location
- Hong Kong
Ii want to learn the differences in usage between "I hoped" and "I was hoping". The following is the information I obtained from internet.
(Typical narratives about past events the past simple is the default tense. However, if the speaker wishes to convey the ongoing nature of the past action or state, then the past continuous can be used. For example:
"In the days before the wedding, I was hoping that the weather would be good."
You might also have encountered the past continuous more often because it is commonly used as a stock phrase to formulate a polite request.
"I was hoping you could lend me some money."
is more tentative than:
"Can you lend me some money?")
Questions:
1) is the above information correct?
2) if it's correct, based on the example
"I was hoping you could lend me some money.", how do I know it's really a past action or just an polite expression?
3) would you explain with examples for reference?
Thanks.
(Typical narratives about past events the past simple is the default tense. However, if the speaker wishes to convey the ongoing nature of the past action or state, then the past continuous can be used. For example:
"In the days before the wedding, I was hoping that the weather would be good."
You might also have encountered the past continuous more often because it is commonly used as a stock phrase to formulate a polite request.
"I was hoping you could lend me some money."
is more tentative than:
"Can you lend me some money?")
Questions:
1) is the above information correct?
2) if it's correct, based on the example
"I was hoping you could lend me some money.", how do I know it's really a past action or just an polite expression?
3) would you explain with examples for reference?
Thanks.