Teo  +  483360 Fri, 29 Feb 08 09:38 PM How much was the tank containing when you last inspected it? What does contain mean in the above sentence? Why use the past progressive tense? Can we say How much did the tank contain when you last inspected it? Teo Joined on Tue, Sep 28 2004 Taiwan Contributing Member 1,631 Thank you very much for your reply. Tenses

	Susankay  +  483376 Fri, 29 Feb 08 10:39 PM We could have fun flipping tenses around all night!! Your sentence could be also worded as: How much was the tank holding when you last inspected it? During the time of the inspection, how much was being held in the tank?       Susankay Joined on Sat, Jan 19 2008 Full Member 201 Tenses

	CalifJim  +  483393 Fri, 29 Feb 08 11:46 PM Teo “Why use the past progressive tense?” The writer didn't know better.  It's a mistake. Teo “Can we say How much did the tank contain when you last inspected it?” Yes.  It's infinitely preferable. CJ  CalifJim Joined on Mon, Aug 2 2004 California Veteran Member 22,128 "There are no facts, only interpretations" - Nietzsche

	Marius Hancu  +  483398 Fri, 29 Feb 08 11:57 PM We're talking about the STATE of an object, which is by definition a pretty stationary/stable notion. Don't use progressives in such cases.   Marius Hancu Joined on Wed, Apr 26 2006 Veteran Member 11,673

	Avangi  +  483412 Sat, 01 Mar 08 12:54 AM Regarding the sale price of a house, "How much was she asking yesterday?"  How do we describe the difference here which allows this question?  It seems like the price would be subject to the same variations as the level of the tank.   Avangi Joined on Mon, Nov 19 2007 Veteran Member 7,923 ". . . le plaisir delicieux et toujours nouveau d'une occupation inutile." - Henri de Regnier

	CalifJim  +  483413 Sat, 01 Mar 08 01:00 AM asking is not a state; it's an action. Containment is a state. CJ  CalifJim

	Avangi  +  483415 Sat, 01 Mar 08 01:11 AM CalifJim “asking is not a state; it's an action. Containment is a state.” Thanks, CJ.  How about "holding"?  i.e., must there be movement? Is, "The workers were able to contain the forest fire" a different sense of '' to contain"?   - A. Edit.  Okay, I give.  I just found the list of 50 "common non-progressive verbs." Avangi Verbs

	CalifJim  +  483472 Sat, 01 Mar 08 04:22 AM  I'm glad you found the list, but as to your question "Must there be movement?", in general yes, there must be movement for there to be an "action" or "event".  Nevertheless, it sometimes gets tricky.  There are a few cases where a verb is used in the progressive tenses even though there is no movement. (He is wearing a red tie.  He has been living here for years.  They are staying at this hotel.) CJ  CalifJim Verbs, Tenses

	Avangi  +  483488 Sat, 01 Mar 08 04:53 AM Thanks, Jim.  I can't believe I haven't thought about this subject.  (Too much of a native.) Avangi