Community Web Version Now Available
XiaoDeng
when I can make someone smile after they were feeling sad
When I give time, when I can make someone smile after they were feeling sad, it's as close to healthy as I ever feel.
Why use past progressive tense here (were feeling)? I think, the other two work perfectly fine here.
What's your opinion?
...., after they feel sad,...
...., after they felt sad,...
...., after they were feeling sad,...
Sep 18, 2019 4:20 AM
2
0
Answers · 2
You need to use "were feeling sad" because it is a continuous state that is interrupted by you making them smile. Examples that are all in the past are more obvious:
I was sitting in the bath, when the telephone rang.
You cannot use present because the adverb indicates a past event (after)
You can't use present because then the sadness would be a permanent state.
September 18, 2019
