Search from various angielski teachers...
Elizabeth
Heyđ Is it grammatically correct to say âI was playing the piano for 3 hours yesterday.â I have some doubts about âforâ with the present continuous. Should I use the past perfect or something?
22 kwi 2025 07:15
Odpowiedzi · 13
1
Correct sentence:
"I was playing the piano for 3 hours yesterday."
This uses the past continuous (was playing) + duration (for 3 hours), and itâs fine.
Here's why:
The past continuous describes an action that was in progress at a specific time in the past.
The phrase âfor 3 hoursâ gives us the duration of the activity.
âYesterdayâ gives us the time reference.
So, you're saying: At some point yesterday, I was in the middle of playing the piano, and it lasted 3 hours.
đĄ Alternative â also correct:
"I played the piano for 3 hours yesterday."
This uses the past simple to describe a finished action and is more direct.
Use this if youâre just telling someone what you did, without focusing on it being in progress.
đ Would past perfect work?
"I had been playing the piano for 3 hours..."
This form (past perfect continuous) is only correct if you're setting up another event afterward, like:
I had been playing the piano for 3 hours when the neighbors complained.
So it requires a second event to justify the past perfect.
In summary:
"I was playing the piano for 3 hours yesterday." Correct. Focuses on the action in progress.
"I played the piano for 3 hours yesterday." Also correct. More direct.
"I had been playing..." Only use if it connects to another past event.
24 kwi 2025 01:49
1
That is just fine đ
22 kwi 2025 11:44
Hi Elizabeth. Itâs a good sentence, although itâs past continuous not present.
22 kwi 2025 08:37
Ik that Piano doesn't take " the " before it!
22 kwi 2025 19:15
Nadal nie znalazĆeĆ/ĆaĆ odpowiedzi?
Napisz swoje pytania i pozwĂłl, aby rodzimi uĆŒytkownicy jÄzyka ci pomogli!
Elizabeth
ZnajomoĆÄ jÄzykĂłw
angielski, rosyjski
JÄzyk do nauczenia siÄ
angielski
ArtykuĆy, ktĂłre rĂłwnieĆŒ mogÄ
ci siÄ spodobaÄ

đ October Traditions: Halloween, Holidays, and Learning Portuguese
31 gĆosy poparcia · 15 Komentarze

The Curious World of Silent Letters in English
40 gĆosy poparcia · 22 Komentarze

5 Polite Ways to Say âNoâ at Work
40 gĆosy poparcia · 9 Komentarze
WiÄcej artykuĆĂłw