Past Continuous

PasT continuous

Start

For the past continuous we need:

Verb "to be" + verb-ing

(past)

IShe He It

Was

Wasn't

Verb "to be"in the past

YouThey We

Were

Weren't

Past Continuous:

Why do we use it?

Emphasize the duration of the action in the past.

Past Simple VS. Past Continuous:

Finished actions in the past.

Actions in progress in the past.

Info

Past Continuous:

Past Simple VS. Past Continuous:

Actions in progress in the past.

Finished actions in the past.

I was walking home when I met Dan.

I walked home after the party last night.

Action finished.

In the middle of the action.

Past Continuous:

When do we use it?

• Action continuing during a period of time.

Sarah was studying all day.

• Action that was happening during a specific moment.

At 11 p.m. I was sleeping.

• Actions interrupted by other actions.

He was talking on the phone when his friend arrived.

Past Continuous:

Structure:

Subject + was/were + verb-ing

He was dancing all night.

They weren't studying for the exam last night.

Subject + wasn't/weren't + verb-ing

Were you playing videogames at 8 p.m.?

was/were + Subject + verb-ing

To form the Past Continuous...

Past Simple

I walked home after the party last night.

Last night

Now

Party

Past Continuous:

I was walking home when I met Dan.

Past

meeting Dan

Now

• Actions interrupted by other actions

He was talking on the phone when his friend arrived.

Past

Now

friend arrived (finished action)

• Action continuing during a period of time.

Sarah was studying all day.

Now

Afternoon

Morning

Action that continued during the day.

• Action that was happening during a specific moment.

At 11 p.m. I was sleeping.

Now

11 p.m.

Past