[Grammar] until she was flailing through or until she flailed through

[Flogger]

Hello

I am wondering why the verb coming after "until" is in the past progressive form! You may reason that it is because of the continuity of the action but if so, would you give me another example that the verb coming after "until" is in the past progressive mode?

But every time she entered that world of light, she was overwhelmed with images, memories, history, until she was flailing through the endless fragments of time, fighting off headache and vertigo and nausea.

The Reader by Traci Chee

 

[5jj]

There is nothing unusual about this. Here is one of many examples I found:

Due to the circumstances of their departure, his family could not inform Henry of their emigration until they were sailing through the English Channel when they sent him a telegram from the ship.

https://exhibits.library.du.edu/lib...migration--1945-/the-loewensteins--emigration

 

[teechar]

I am wondering why the verb coming after "until" is in the past progressive form!

Which alternative tense did you have in mind?

 

[Tdol]

It describes a process rather than a single action. The flailing was across time.

 

[Flogger]

Which alternative tense did you have in mind?

sorry for replying late @};---

my version = until she flailed through ......

 

[emsr2d2]

Sorry for replying late.

[STRIKE]@};---[/STRIKE] None of these symbols have any place in your post.

My version - "... until she flailed through ..."

Please note my corrections above. Please remember to capitalise and punctuate correctly.

Your version doesn't work for the reason detailed in post #4 by Tdol.