Past Continuous Tense

The tense for actions in progress at a specific moment in the past

The Past Continuous Tense is used to describe:

  • Actions in progress at a particular time in the past
  • Two or more simultaneous actions
  • Interrupted actions in the past
  • Background setting in narratives
  • Polite or indirect statements

Structure: was/were + verb-ing

Core Characteristics

  • Duration: Emphasizes action over time
  • Past setting: Always refers to a past moment
  • Progressive: Indicates ongoing or unfinished action
  • Interruptible: Often paired with Simple Past
  • Background: Commonly used in descriptions/stories

Formation Rules - Past Continuous Tense

Structure Rule:

Past Continuous = [Subject] + [was/were] + [Base Verb + -ing]

  • was → used with I, he, she, it
  • were → used with you, we, they
  • Base Verb + -ing → Add “-ing” to main verb: play → playing, read → reading

1. Affirmative Sentences

Rule: Subject + was/were + verb-ing

  • I was walking to school. ✅
  • They were studying all night. ✅
  • He was working when I called. ✅

2. Negative Sentences

Rule: Subject + was/were + not + verb-ing

  • She was not (wasn't) listening to the teacher. ✅
  • We were not (weren't) watching TV. ✅

3. Yes/No Questions

Rule: Was/Were + subject + verb-ing?

  • Was he running when it started to rain? ✅
  • Were they working on the project? ✅

4. Wh- Questions

Rule: Wh- word + was/were + subject + verb-ing?

  • What were you doing last night? ✅
  • Why was she crying? ✅

5. Spelling Rules for -ing Form

  • For most verbs, add -ing: play → playing
  • If verb ends in silent "e", drop "e": make → making
  • If verb ends in CVC (consonant-vowel-consonant), double final consonant: run → running, sit → sitting
  • Do not double "w", "x", or "y": fix → fixing, mix → mixing

6 Key Uses with Timeline Examples

1. Action in Progress at Specific Past Time

  • At 10 PM last night, I was reading a book.
  • What were you doing at noon?

2. Interrupted Actions

  • I was taking a shower when the phone rang.
  • They were driving to work when the accident happened.

3. Simultaneous Actions

  • While I was studying, my sister was listening to music.
  • They were dancing while the DJ was playing music.

4. Background for Storytelling

  • The wind was blowing and the sky was getting darker...
  • People were walking in the street when the sirens started.

5. Polite or Indirect Comments

  • I was wondering if you could help me.
  • We were hoping to speak with the manager.

6. Unfulfilled Past Intentions

  • I was going to call you, but I forgot.
  • He was planning to visit, but he got sick.

Common Errors & Corrections

1. Wrong Auxiliary:
  • ❌ "She were crying." → ✅ "She was crying."
2. Double Past:
  • ❌ "He was went home." → ✅ "He was going home."
3. Misuse of Progressive:
  • ❌ "I was knowing the answer." → ✅ "I knew the answer." (Stative verbs not usually used in continuous)

Practice Exercises

1. Conjugate the Verbs

  1. They (watch) _____ a movie when I arrived. (were watching)
  2. I (not/sleep) _____ at midnight. (wasn't sleeping)

2. Identify Correct Usage

  1. "He was talking on the phone when the lights went out." → ✅
  2. "She were walking alone." → ❌ (was walking)

3. Transform Sentences

  1. Change to negative: "I was eating dinner." → "I wasn't eating dinner."
  2. Form a question: "They were driving fast." → "Were they driving fast?"

Advanced Notes

1. Time Markers

Useful time expressions with Past Continuous:

  • At 6 PM, while, as, all evening, all day, during
  • "While she was sleeping, someone stole her phone."

2. Combined Tense Usage

Past Continuous with Simple Past:

  • "I was reading when he called." (ongoing + interrupting)
  • "They were walking in the park when it started to rain."

3. Stative Verbs

Some verbs are not typically used in continuous forms:

  • know, like, believe, own, belong, understand
  • ❌ "I was knowing him." → ✅ "I knew him."