Topic 3 : Past continuous

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).

Topic 2

Past Simple

The past simple is used for acts that have begun and ended in the past. Depending on whether the verb is regular or irregular, one or the other is used.

The past simple in English is formed with regular verbs, we will use the infinitive and add the ending “ed” (infinitive verb + ed). Let's see it with an example:

I (clean) cleaned my house yesterday = Yo ayer limpié mi casa.

For verbs that are regular we will have to know several exceptions, so we avoid making mistakes. The exceptions are as follows:

● For verbs that end in “e”, only a “d” is added. For example: (change) changed, believed.

● If the verb ends in a short vowel and a consonant, with the exception of “w” and “y”, we will have to double the last consonant. For example: (stop) stopped.

● With verbs ending in a consonant + “y”, we change the “y” to “i”. For example: (study) studied or (try) tried.

To construct the past tense of an irregular verb there is no set method, therefore, we will have to learn the forms by heart.

How is the past simple used in affirmative sentences?

Regarding the structure in affirmative sentences we will use the subject + verb in past tense. It is very simple, and with these examples it will be even simpler:

She (subject) wanted (verb) to play = Ella quería jugar = She wanted to play

And in negative sentences?

In negative sentences it is just as simple, we will use the following structure: subject + did + not + infinitive main verb.

I didn't play handball yesterday = Yo ayer no jugué al balón mano.

(subject) + did not + (verb)

When is the past simple used to ask a question?

In interrogative sentences it is very simple to understand, we will use did + subject + infinitive main verb.

Did you eat ice cream? ¿Comiste helado?

did + (subject) + (verb)

The same happens if we want to use the verb to be, the structure will be: verb to be in past tense + subject.

Was the water in the fridge? = ¿Estaba el agua en la nevera?

(verb) + (subject)

Topic 1

Verbal tense: Present Simple and Continuous 

We use the present simple tense when we want to talk about fixed habits or routines – things that don’t change.

For example:

I play basketball every Sunday.

I'm playing hockey now.

She eats fruit every day.

She's eating an apple now.

For the present simple, add s or es for he, she and it. For the negative, use don't for I, you, we and they, and doesn't for he, she and it.

I watch cartoons every day. I don't watch the news.

My dad makes dinner every evening. He doesn't make lunch.

We use the present continuous to talk about actions which are happening at the present moment, but will soon finish.

For example:

I am playing tennis

You are playing tennis

We are playing tennis

He/she/it is playing tennis

For the present continuous, use am, is or are and ing. For the negative, use not.

I'm going to the park now. I'm not going to school.

She's studying English now. She isn't studying maths.