Learn English – If someone is currently doing an activity, is it wrong to say they were doing that activity

grammargrammaticalitypast-tensepresent-tense

If you are currently doing an activity, then a moment ago you were doing that activity.

So if I am doing something, is is grammatically correct to say I was doing it or do I have to use the present tense until I stop doing an activity?

An example:

   I am living.

   Yesterday, I was living.

   Therefore, I was living.

So, basically, is the conclusion in the example grammatically correct?

Best Answer

The problem with some people is that they become too analytic when it comes to grammar. This usually yields to precriptionism. In your case, you are too focused on the timeline of events. Remember that in grammar, tense, verb forms, sentence structure etc is dictated by context and not by any specific spacetime reference point.

Although it is analytically correct for you to say that you WERE living yesterday, I guess the fact that you ARE actually living today would discourage you in using the former. :)

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