How to use past continuous tense
In this grammar lesson, we learn the form and how to use past continuous tense. The past continuous tense also known as past progressive tense is used to describe actions that were happening at a specific time in the past. It emphasizes the ongoing nature of the action.
Basic structure of past continuous tense
Form
Subject + was/were + verb(-ing)
- Was is used with singular subjects (I, he, she, it).
- Were is used with plural subjects (you, we, they).
Positive Sentence
- I was watching TV.
- They were playing soccer.
Negative Sentence
Subject + was/were + not + verb(-ing)
- I was not (wasn’t) watching TV.
- They were not (weren’t) playing soccer.
Interrogative Sentence (questions)
Was/Were + subject + verb(-ing)?
- Was she cooking dinner?
- Were they studying for the test?
How to use past continuous tense
- Ongoing or in-progress action in the past
- Describes an action that was happening at a specific moment in the past.
Example: At 8 PM last night, I was reading a book.
- Describes an action that was happening at a specific moment in the past.
- Interrupted action
- An action in the past that was interrupted by another action (often in the simple past).
Example: I was sleeping when the phone rang.
- An action in the past that was interrupted by another action (often in the simple past).
- Parallel actions
- Two or more actions happening at the same time in the past.
Example: While she was cooking, he was cleaning.
- Two or more actions happening at the same time in the past.
- Background information in stories
- Sets the scene in narratives.
Example: The sun was setting, and birds were chirping.
- Sets the scene in narratives.
Let’s learn more about past continuous tense practice examples!
- It was snowing heavily yesterday.
- They were eating at a big restaurant in town.
- Were you working yesterday?
- I was studying last night.
- I was waiting for the cab when I met Raj.
- The children were shouting when the teacher came in.
- It was midnight when it was raining.
- Everyone was clapping.
Other English Verb Tenses
There are three main verb tenses: past, present, and future. In English, each of these tenses can take four main aspects: simple, perfect, continuous (also known as progressive), and perfect continuous.
Let’s start learning all about English verb tense for free. Below is the list of English verb tenses
- simple present tense
- present continuous tense
- simple past tense
- past continuous tense
- simple future tense
- future continuous tense
- future perfect tense
- future perfect continuous
- present perfect tense
- present perfect continuous tense
- past perfect tense
- past perfect continous tense
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