Past Continuous

Past continuous:

The past continuous is formed from the past tense of be (was/were) with the -ing form of the verb.

We use the past continuous to talk about the past

• A continuous action in the past which is interrupted by another action or a time.

I was reading when the cellphone rang.

We were playing when she fell asleep.

At ten o’clock, I was sleeping.

• For two actions which happened at the same time in the past

I was reading while he was watching TV.

They were playing and we were singing.

She was painting while I listening to music.

• For something that was happening again and again

They were always screaming.

I was working every weekend, five hours for day.

He was always leaving the tap running.

• To give atmosphere to what we are describing

When I walked into the classroom, a group of people were talking…

It was a beautiful day. The sun was shining, the birds were singing…

When I started my essay, my sisters were discussing…

Sentence Structure

• Affirmative.

Subject + (Was/Were) + verb in Ing + ob/c

She was eating when I called her.

We were writing.

• Negative.

Subject+ (wasn’t/ was not – Weren’t/were not) + verb in Ing + ob/c

He was not studying.

You were not playing guitar.

• Questions.

Was/were + subject +verb in Ing +c/ob ?

Was she reading?

Were you cooking a cake?