LEVEL II_BOOK 9 LESSON 2

GRAMMAR Using the Past Progressive

Officer: What happened here? Were you riding a bicycle with the other students?
Rider: Yes, I was. About 12 of us were crossing River Avenue when a large black dog ran in front of us.
He didn’t bother me, but some of the other students were surprised and fell off their bikes.
Witness 1 I saw the accident. I wasn’t riding a bicycle, but I was standing near the place of the accident. I was
watching the bike riders when a dog ran across the street. He ran right in front of the cyclist.
Officer: And you, sir? Where were you standing when the accident happened?
Witness 2: Oh, I wasn’t near this place when the accident happened. I was driving my car on a different street.
I parked and walked over here because the EMS vehicles were blocking the streets. I was in the
traffic jam.

The past progressive is used:

A. To describe an action that was in progress at a specific time in the past.
1. Two men were playing tennis.
2. A girl was walking a dog.
3. Helen and Eve were eating pizza

B. To describe an action that started in the past and was interrupted by another action.

4. John was playing soccer when he broke his leg.

5. Lisa was riding her bike when she hurt her foot.
6. When Tom came home, we were watching TV.
7. When you called, I was cooking dinner.

C. To describe two actions that were in progress at the same time in the past:
1. I was preparing dinner while Melanie was working upstairs.
2. I was buying some vegetables while my mom was buying some groceries.

EXERCISE A Complete the sentences with your own ideas.

1. I cut the lawn when the storm began.

2. When my mom called, I was slept.
3. She does your homework when the lights went out.
4. While I was doing the homework, He was sleeping.
5. I was talking on my phone while someone was texting me a message.
6. I drove my car when a police officer stopped me.
7. The baby was smiling when she laughed.
8. When the teacher arrived, we played in the class.
For further practice go to:
Past Progressive Tense | What Is the Past Progressive Tense? (grammar-monster.com)