1)過去進(jìn)行時和一般過去時的基本差別是，過去進(jìn)行時表示一個正在進(jìn)行的動作，而一般過去時表示一個業(yè)已完成的動作。
? ?試比較下面的句子：
　　She was knitting a sweater for Tom. 她在給湯姆織一件毛衣。
　　She knitted a sweater for Tom. 她給湯姆織了一件毛衣。
　　He was doing his homework in the afternoon. 下午他在做作業(yè)。
　　He did his homework in the afternoon. 下午他把作業(yè)做完了。
　　I was writing an essay. 我在寫一篇論文。(可能還沒寫完)
　　I wrote an essay yesterday. 我昨天寫了一篇論文。(已寫完)
　　They were building a skyscraper. 他們在建一座摩天大樓。(在修建)
　　They built a skyscraper. 他們蓋了一座摩天大樓。(已蓋好)
2)有些動詞本身并不表示動作完成，如 rain, snow, cough, wear, feel, wait, stay, work等，這時用兩種時態(tài)意思上差別不大：
　　It snowed all night. 下了一整夜的雪。
　　It was snowing all night.
　　She wore a blue coat. 她穿著一件藍(lán)外套。
　　She was wearing a blue coat.
　　He felt a bit uneasy. 他感到有點不自在。
　　He was feeling a bit uneasy.
　　We stayed in a hotel. 我們住在旅館里。
　　We were staying in a hotel.
3)用進(jìn)行時態(tài)有時有感情色彩，特別是帶有always, forever, constantly這類狀語時，如：
　　He was always ringing up. 他總是給我打電話。(厭煩)
　　She was always working. 她總是不停地干活。(贊揚(yáng))
　　The old lady was forever grumbling. 這老太太老是嘀嘀咕咕。(厭煩)
　　He was constantly changing his mind. 他總是改變主意。(不以為然)
4)有時用進(jìn)行時表示現(xiàn)在的想法，可以顯得客氣一點，如：
　　I was wondering whether you could give me some advice. 不知你能否幫我出點主意。
　　I was thinking maybe he could go by taxi. 我在想或許他可以坐的士去。
　　I was hoping you could reconsider our proposal. 我希望你能再考慮一下我們的建議。