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[D] I thought I was being careful

LET'S READ! 📖

Direction: Read the conversation below. Then, exchange roles with your mentor.


Pull over

Icon_Mike

Mike

Good morning, Officer. Did you pull me over for speeding? I thought I was being very careful.

Icon_Police

Officer

Sir, I didn't pull you over for speeding. I pulled you over because you were talking on a handheld device while driving.

Icon_Mike

Mike

For talking on the phone? Is that a problem? My wife just called to remind me about an appointment when I get back from my business trip.

Icon_Police

Officer

Sir, using a handheld device while driving is illegal in this state. I can see from your plate that you are from out of town, so I'll let you know with just a warning this time. But sir, next time just check the law before your trip. Most states regulate cell phone use while driving.

Icon_Mike

Mike

I will do that, Officer. I guess I just need a newer car with bluetooth.

Icon_Police

Officer

By the way, it's a good thing you weren't texting when I pulled you over. Texting while driving is even more dangerous than talking. You might want to think about getting a hands-free device if you do a lot of driving for business.

QUESTION

1. Why did the officer pull Mike over?

2. What was Mike's reason for doing that?

LET'S UNDERSTAND! 📚

A. Being as a Present Participle

  • Being is the present participle (-ing) form of the verb to be, used with the verb to be to form the continuous tenses

    Subject + [to be] + being + complement

  • I thought I was being very careful.

  • He was being very helpful on Sunday, for some reason.

  • He is being strangely quiet this morning.

NOTE

  1. With the verb to be, we usually refer to states, conditions, and feelings. This makes the continuous use of 'to be' usually limited to specifically emphasizing a temporary condition - often one that is unusual or surprising.

B. Modifying Comparatives much, so much, a lot, even, far

  • We can use much, so much, a lot, even, or far with comparative adjectives to show big differences.

    Example:

  • Texting while driving is even more dangerous than talking.

  • My new phone is so much better than my previous phone.

  • He was far more competent than the other applicant.

LET'S PRACTICE! 📝

A. Direction: Read the following statements and write a response with the use of 'being' as a present participle.

    Example:

    A: Why is your little sister crying?

    B: She was being rude so I scolded her.

  1. Why was Sarah praised by the teacher?

  2. Why were they evacuated from the building?

  3. Why is Emily being so secretive?

B. Direction: Listen to the dialogue and identify which statements are true or false.



1. Mike thinks the pizza from the new Italian restaurant is better than the one they had last week.


2. Lisa enjoyed last week's pizza more than the one she had at the new place.


3. Mike finds the flavors at the new place far tastier than the once they had before.


4. The pasta at the new restaurant was better than their pizza, according to Mike.


5. Lisa agrees that the pasta at the new restaurant was much tastier than the one they had before.