Past Continuous
The Past Continuous tense, also known as the Past Progressive, describes actions that were ongoing at a specific moment in the past. It’s constructed using the past tense of "to be" (was/were) followed by the present participle (verb + -ing).
When to Use Past Continuous
1. Ongoing actions at a specific time in the past
This tense highlights actions that were happening at a particular moment or period.
Example:
At 8 PM yesterday, I was watching TV.
2. Simultaneous actions
It is used when two or more actions were happening at the same time in the past.
Example:
While I was preparing dinner, my brother was doing his homework.
3. Interrupted actions
The Past Continuous often shows an action in progress that was interrupted by a shorter action, typically in the Simple Past.
Example:
I was walking home when it started to rain.
4. Setting the scene
In stories, the Past Continuous helps describe background details or set the scene.
Example:
The wind was blowing, and the leaves were falling as we walked through the park.
Structure of Past Continuous
- Affirmative sentences:
Subject + was/were + verb (ing)
Example:
-They were dancing.
- Negative sentences:
Subject + was/were + not + verb (ing)
Example:
He wasn’t sleeping.
- Questions:
Was/were + subject + verb (ing)?
Example:
Were they waiting for the bus?
Common Time Expressions
- While
- When
- At that moment
- As
These phrases often accompany the Past Continuous to clarify when the action was happening.
Confusing verb tenses: The Past Continuous is for actions in progress, not completed actions.
Incorrect: I was went to school.
Correct: I was going to school.
- Mixing up "was" and "were": Remember, was is for singular subjects (I/he/she/it), while were is for plural subjects (we/you/they).