was having vs had been having

[ostap77]

"He said that he was having a dinner when we gave him a call."

OR

"He said that he had been having a dinner when we gave him a call."

Would there be any difference for you as a speaker? If the second one is grammatically correct, doesn't Past Perfect suggest a longer duration?

"The meeting is over."

OR

"The meeting has already come to an end."

Would there be a noticeable difference, If some used both in conversation?

 

[Koronas]

The subtle meanings are somewhat dependent on where, when and to whom they were spoken.

Note that we would normally say "dinner" not "a dinner", except in special circumstances.

 

[ostap77]

The subtle meanings are somewhat dependent on where, when and to whom they were spoken.

Note that we would normally say "dinner" not "a dinner", except in special circumstances.

It's not about the dinner thing. I was asking about "was having" and "had been having" used in the above given sentences. A bunch of thanks, if I get ''a tiny bit of'' advice

 

[Koronas]

I was asking about "was having" and "had been having" used in the above given sentences.

That's what I was referring to. It depends.....

 

[ostap77]

That's what I was referring to. It depends.....

"had been havig" means a longer period of time or it drastically changes the meaning?

 

[ostap77]

"had been havig" means a longer period of time or it drastically changes the meaning?

Well?

 

[ostap77]

"had been havig" means a longer period of time or it drastically changes the meaning?

Well?

 

[riquecohen]

Take a look at the thread called Tense, started by Rita_B. The last comment was posted today by Raymott at about 10:50 a.m. I think that this may help clarify this issue for you.

 

[ostap77]

Take a look at the thread called Tense, started by Rita_B. The last comment was posted today by Raymott at about 10:50 a.m. I think that this may help clarify this issue for you.

I've taken a look at the thread.

So I take it, If there is no other context given it's better to use Past Perfect Profressive with "when,before"sentences in order to emphasize the duration and action?

 

[TheParser]

"He said that he was having a dinner when we gave him a call."

OR

"He said that he had been having a dinner when we gave him a call."

Would there be any difference for you as a speaker? If the second one is grammatically correct, doesn't Past Perfect suggest a longer duration?

"The meeting is over."

OR

"The meeting has already come to an end."

Would there be a noticeable difference, If some used both in conversation?

NOT A TEACHER

(1) IF I understand the matter correctly, there is a difference

between the past progressive and past perfect progressive.

(a) "He was having dinner when we called."

=
We called at 7 o'clock; he was still eating dinner (he had started to

eat at 6:55).

(b) "He had been eating dinner when we called."

=

(a) he was still eating dinner.

or

(b) he had just finished.

 

[ostap77]

NOT A TEACHER

(1) IF I understand the matter correctly, there is a difference

between the past progressive and past perfect progressive.

(a) "He was having dinner when we called."

=
We called at 7 o'clock; he was still eating dinner (he had started to

eat at 6:55).

(b) "He had been eating dinner when we called."




=

(a) he was still eating dinner.

or

(b) he had just finished.

That's what I call plain englisn;-). Thank you a bunch!