Difference between そうになっていた and そうになった?


> しかし、士道は荒れ **そうになっていた** 呼吸をどうにか整えると、どこにいるとも知れない狂三に言葉を投げた。

Hi. Can we change the bold part into そうになった? If we can, what would be the
difference between そうになっていた and そうになった?

Thank you.




荒れそうになっていた describes the continuation of state; the state of 荒れそう has
continued for some time. For example, if 士道 was saying something before this
sentence, perhaps he was already in the 呼吸が荒れそう state while he was talking.

荒れそうになった refers to an instant change. His way of breathing almost changed
(maybe because he suddenly lost his temper), but he regained the control on
his breath soon after that.

There is a difference in meaning, and which is correct depends on the context
(I don't even know what made his breath ragged).




荒れそうになっていた describes the continuation of state; the state of 荒れそう has
continued for some time. For example, if 士道 was saying something before this
sentence, perhaps he was already in the 呼吸が荒れそう state while he was talking.

荒れそうになった refers to an instant change. His way of breathing almost changed
(maybe because he suddenly lost his temper), but he regained the control on
his breath soon after that.

There is a difference in meaning, and which is correct depends on the context
(I don't even know what made his breath ragged).

