彼(かの)女(じょ) kanojoは wa立(た)っ()て() tatte川(かわ) kawaを o見(み)て()い()た() miteita。 She was standing watching the river. Literal She [topic-は] standing river [object-を] was-looking-at. 立って ('standing') is the te-form of 立つ, providing a posture description for the main verb 見ていた ('was watching'). The two linked actions create a vivid image: standing, she watched. naturedescription~て form (means/manner)~ていた (past progressive/state)
彼(かの)女(じょ) kanojoは wa立(た)っ()て() tatte川(かわ) kawaを o見(み)て()い()た() miteita。 She was standing watching the river. Literal She [topic-は] standing river [object-を] was-looking-at. 立って ('standing') is the te-form of 立つ, providing a posture description for the main verb 見ていた ('was watching'). The two linked actions create a vivid image: standing, she watched. naturedescription~て form (means/manner)~ていた (past progressive/state)