Guide to English grammar

I didn't feel/wasn't feeling very well.

For details, • 62.

NOT
Other uses of the past continuous

1. 
   We can use the past continuous for repeated actions which are temporary, only for a period.
   

My car was off the road. I was travelling to work by bus that week.
Compare I'm travelling to work by bus this week. • 64(2c)

2. 
   We can use the past continuous for a past arrangement.
   

I was on my way to the pub. I was meeting James there.(= I had arranged to meet James there.)

For “I'm meeting James at the pub tonight”, • 73(1).

3. 
   With the continuous, always means “very often” or “too often”.
   

Do you remember Mr. Adams? He was always quoting Shakespeare.

For examples with the present continuous, • 64(2d).

67 Present perfect continuous

GOING INTO HOSPITAL
Mrs. Webster: I shall have to go into hospital some time to have an operation on my leg.
Ted: Are you on the waiting list?
Mrs. Webster: Yes, I've been waiting for three years.
Ted: Three years! That's awful! You've been suffering all that time.
Mrs. Webster: Well, I have to use the wheelchair, that's all.
Ted: They've been cutting expenditure, trying to save money. It's not right.
Mrs. Webster: My son David has written to them three times. He's been trying to get me in quicker. I don't know if it'll do any good.

A practical guide to English grammar 75

1 Form

Present of have + been + active participle I/you/we/they have been waiting He/she/it has been waiting Negative I/you/we/they have not been waiting He/she/it has not been waiting Questions