I honestly couldn't follow a word you were saying

[deleted]

Test No. incompl/inter-91 "Tenses (2)", question 2

I honestly couldn't follow a word you ..........

(a) are saying
(b) will say
(c) were saying
(d) did say

Test No. incompl/inter-91 "Tenses (2)", answer 2

I honestly couldn't follow a word you were saying.

Correct answer: (c) were saying

Your answer was: incorrect
I honestly couldn't follow a word you did say.
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why not did say can be used

[Torsten]

Well, if you want to use the simple past instead of the past continuous the correct verb form would be said instead of did say because we use the auxiliary verb did only in questions.
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Test Of English for International Communication
TOEIC Preparation & TOEIC Vocabulary

[Christina328]

[Andrew]

Since at the time when you made your statement, it is unlikely that the other party was still taking, and so the event of talking would be something that happened in the past.