گرامر زمان گذشته ی استمراری

Past Continuous

During this time many slaves were attempting to escape in the dead of night, and were running from vicious dogs or equally vicious slave hunters.

When were they attempting to escape? They were attempting to escape in the dead of night.

Who were they running from? They were running from vicious dogs or equally vicious slave hunters.

The punishment for trying to escape was harsh, but Ellen and William were feeling desperate.

How were Ellen and William feeling? Ellen and William were feeling desperate.

They were thinking that they wouldn’t stand a chance if they just tried to run. So they were planning something crazy.

Were they thinking running would be easy? No, they weren’t thinking running would be easy.

They were thinking that they wouldn’t stand a chance if they just tried to run. Were they planning something crazy? Yes, they were planning something crazy.

In those days, the only way a slave was allowed to travel was if they were with their master. Since Ellen had such light skin, Ellen was planning to flee to the North with William and pretend to be his master.

Where were they planning to flee to? They were planning to flee to the North.

They were hoping that if they reached the North, they could live in freedom.

Were they hoping they’d find freedom in the North? Yes, they were hoping they’d find freedom in the North.

There was just one problem though. At that time in American history, it would also be unheard of for a female to travel alone with a slave. They were thinking that they needed a different plan.

Were they thinking they needed a different plan? Yes, they were thinking they needed a different plan.

Instead of pretending to be a white woman, Ellen was pretending to be a white man.

Was Ellen pretending to be a white woman? No, Ellen was pretending to be a white man.

William was helping Ellen cut her hair to neck length, to make her appear more like a man.

What was William doing to Ellen’s hair? William was helping Ellen cut her hair.

They were worrying about getting caught because slaves weren’t allowed to learn how to read or write.

What were they worrying about? They were worrying about getting caught.

If Ellen couldn’t make a signature, it would expose them instantly. They were thinking about what to do when they found a solution.

What were they thinking about? They were thinking about what to do.

Ellen would put her arm in a sling. She was hoping that people would not ask her to sign any documents along their journey.

What was Ellen hoping for? She was hoping that people would not ask her to sign any documents along their journey.

They were planning to make their escape over Christmas.

When were they planning to make their escape? They were planning to make their escape over Christmas.

Ellen and William were favorites of their masters, so they weren’t worrying about getting time off for the holidays. This was important, because their masters weren’t thinking about them being missing until they made it to the North.

Why weren’t their masters thinking about them being missing? Their masters weren’t thinking about them being missing because they had taken time off for the holidays.