Past Continuous
Say what was happening at a moment in the past, or when something interrupted it.
12 minElementary
1The grammar
Use the Past Continuous for an action that was in progress at a time in the past: At eight o'clock, I was cooking dinner. The action started before eight and continued after it.
Make it with was or were + verb + -ing. Use was with I, he, she and it. Use were with you, we and they.
We often use it with the Past Simple. The Past Continuous gives the longer action, and the Past Simple gives the short action that happened in the middle of it: I was driving when you called. While we were eating, the lights went out.
We do not usually use this tense with verbs like know, like, want and need. Say 'I knew the answer', not 'I was knowing the answer'.
2Structure and formation
Positive
Subject + was / were + verb + -ing
They were working.
Negative
Subject + wasn't / weren't + verb + -ing
She wasn't listening.
Question
Was / Were + subject + verb + -ing?
Were you sleeping?
With 'when'
Past Continuous + when + Past Simple
I was walking when it started to rain.
With 'while'
While + Past Continuous, Past Simple
While he was cooking, the phone rang.
3Examples
I was working at nine o'clock last night.
An action in progress at a past time.
She was talking to a client when I arrived.
'Arrived' happened during the longer action.
We weren't watching the film, so we went to bed.
Negative: weren't + -ing.
What were you doing at lunchtime?
Question: were + subject + -ing.
While they were travelling, they lost a bag.
'While' goes with the longer action.
It was raining all morning.
It shows that the action continued for some time.
4Common mistakes
We was having dinner.
We were having dinner.
'We' takes 'were', not 'was'.
I was work at six o'clock.
I was working at six o'clock.
After was or were, use the -ing form.
She working when I called.
She was working when I called.
The tense needs 'was' or 'were' before the -ing form.
I was wanting a coffee.
I wanted a coffee.
We do not usually use 'want' in continuous tenses.
5Practical usage
Setting the scene in a story
Start a story with what was happening, then add the events: The sun was shining and people were walking in the park. Suddenly, I saw my old teacher.
Explaining why something happened
Use it to explain what you were busy with: Sorry I missed your call. I was driving.
Now practise it
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