Past Continuous

Past Continuous

for A2-B1 students

You'll learn about

Forming the Past Continuous

When to use

Examples

Forming the Past Continuous

Auxiliary verb

was

were

I, he, she, it singular nouns

you, we, they plural nouns

Structure. Positive sentences

was

ing

were

Affirmative sentences

was playing were playing were playing were playing was playing was playing was playing

I you we they he she it

Affirmative sentences

Singular noun A boy Plural noun Boys

was playing were playing

Structure. Negative sentences

wasn't

ing

weren't

Negative sentences

playing play play play play play play

wasn't weren't weren't weren't wasn't wasn't wasn't

I you we they he she it

Structure. Questions

Was

Question word

V ?

ing

Were

Interrogative sentences

playing? playing? playing? playing? playing? playing? playing?

Was Were Were Were Was Was Was

I you we they he she it

Yes, was.

No, wasn't.

Yes, were.

No, weren't.

Spelling rules for verbs in "ing" form

When to use Past Continuous

Timeline

Future

Past

Present

• Interrupted Action in the Past
• Specific Time as an Interruption
• Parallel Actions
• Atmosphere
• Repetition and Irritation with "Always"

Examples

Interrupted Action in the Past

• I was watching TV when she called.

• When the phone rang, she was writing a letter.

• While we were having the picnic, it started to rain.

• What were you doing when the earthquake started?

Specific Time as an Interruption

• Last night at 6 PM, I was eating dinner.

• At midnight, we were still driving through the desert.

• Yesterday at this time, I was doing my homework.

Parallel Actions

• I was studying while he was making dinner.

• While Ellen was reading, Tim was watching television.

• Were you listening while he was talking?

• I wasn't paying attention while I was writing the letter, so I made several mistakes.

Atmosphere

• The rain was pouring down from the sky while the storm was raging.

• Everywhere I looked, people were rushing by at top speed.

• The man was wearing a long, dark trench coat, which only added to his air of mystery.

Repetition and Irritation with "Always"

• He was always coming to class late.

• He was constantly talking. He annoyed everyone.

• I didn't like them because they were always complaining.

When vs While

past continuous

past simple

• I was studying when she called.
• While I was studying, she called.

• While I was sleeping, the telephone rang.
• I was sleeping when the telephone rang.

Let's practice

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