Past continuous


Introduction

The past continuous is used to describe a continuous action in the past (the action starts and finishes in the past).

The action may be interrupted by a shorter action (past simple) or by a specific time, for example:

We can also describe two continuous actions happening at the same time, for example:

Part 1 - Past continuous positive

We make the past continuous with
the past form of the verb "to be" ("was", "were")
+ the "ing’" form of the main verb (present participle)


For example:

Practice

Complete the sentences with the correct past continuous positive form of the verb in brackets.

.
1)
At 4am this morning, I    . (sleep)

 
2)
She    when the alarm started. (dream)

 
3)
They    to London when the accident happened. (travel)

 
4)
We    a film while they were making dinner. (watch)

 

Part 2 - Past continuous negative

To make a negative sentence we use "wasn't" ("was not") / "weren't" ("were not").

For example:

Practice

Complete the sentences with the correct past continuous negative form of the verb in brackets.

.
1)
We    rice for the curry. (boil)

 
2)
He    the house alone. (build)

 
3)
I    the accident very well. (describe)

 
4)
The clothes    very quickly. (dry)

 

Part 3 - Past continuous questions

To make questions we put "was" / "were" before the subject


For example:

Short answers
Yes, I
he / she / it
was.
No, I
he / she / it
wasn't.
Yes, you
we
they
were.
No, you
we
they
weren't.

Practice

Complete the sentences with the correct past continuous question form of the verb in brackets.

.
1)
   you    when I called? (bake)

 
2)
   the pasta    long enough? (boil)

 
3)
   he    you? (annoy)

 
4)
   they    the highest mountain? (climb)

 

Further practice

Choose the correct answer to complete the sentence: a, b, c or d.
.
1)
The teacher ____ exam papers for 5 hours.
 

 

2)
They ____ the man with a blanket when the doctor arrived.
 

 

3)
____ the street when the accident happened?
 

 

4)
____ crying for the whole film?
 

 

5)
They ____ the accident.
 

 

6)
He ____ more than her.
 

 

Intermediate language point

The past continuous is considered a narrative tense and can be used to create or describe the atmosphere at a time in the past or for a story.

For example:

The past continuous can be used to express a repeated annoying action in the past, using always or constantly.

For example:

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