The Past Continuos Tense (was/were + Verb + -ing)

• We use the past continuos to talk about an activity in progress

at a particular time in the past.
• It shows a continuing action that began in the past.

It was 8 o’clock. I was writing a letter.

While I was studying, my friends were playing.
 • Past continuous tells us what was happening AROUND a past
time.

A: What were you doing at 8.00? Were you watching TV?

B: No, I wasn’t watching TV. I was playing cards with my mom.

PAST 8.00 NOW

Form
POSITIVE

I doing
He watching
She was
playing
It
living
swimming
We
You were listening
They
 NEGATIVE

I doing
He watching
She was not
(wasn’t) playing
It
living
swimming
We
You were not listening
They (weren’t)
 QUESTION

I doing
He watching
was She
playing
It
living
swimming
We
were You listening
They
 • Soft music was playing. People were walking
in the park. I wasn’t dreaming. I really was in
New York City.

• Why did you tell him my secret? What were

you thinking?

Melanie: I called you at around 3 p.m. yesterday,

but you didn’t answer. I didn't know where you
were.
David: Oh, I was helping Mike. We were repairing
his car. It took ages. We were working on it all
afternoon.
Melanie: It was raining. I hope you weren't doing
it outside.
David: No, we were in the garage. So I didn't get
wet. But I'm afraid I got oil all over my new
trousers.
Melanie: Why were you wearing your new
trousers to repair a car?
David: I don't know. I forgot I was wearing them.
 were dancing
was cooking supper
was driving home
wasn't watching TV
USING “WHILE” WITH THE PAST PROGRESSIVE

• One of the most common uses of the past continuous tense

shows A PAST ACTION THAT WAS INTERRUPTED BY ANOTHER
PAST ACTION.

• While-clause describes an activity that was in progress (past

continuous) at the time another activity happened (simple
past).

• The verb in a while-clause is often past continuous.

 The phone rang while I was sleeping
or
While I was sleeping, the phone rang.

While + Subject + Verb + -ing → time clause

The sleeping action was in progress when my phone rang.

Exercise: Combine the sentences. Use while.

1. I was studying last night.

Rita called.
→ While I was studying last night, Rita called.
→ Rita called while I was studying last night.

2. Someone knocked on my apartment door.

I was eating breakfast yesterday morning.
→ While I was eating breakfast, someone knocked on my door.
→ Someone knocked on my door while I was eating breakfast.
3. I was cooking dinner yesterday evening.
I burned my hand.
→ I burned my hand while I was cooking dinner yesterday.
→ While I was cooking dinner yesterday evening, I burned my hand.

4. Yoko raised her hand.

The teacher was talking.
→ Yoko raised her hand while the teacher was talking.
→ While the teacher was talking, Yoko raised her hand.
5. A tree fell on my car.
I was driving home yesterday.
→ While I was driving home yesterday, a tree fell on my car.
→ A tree fell on my car while I was driving home yesterday.

6. I was studying last night.

A mouse suddenly appeared on my desk.
→ A mouse suddenly appeared on my desk while I was studying.
→ While I was studying last night, a mouse suddenly appeared on my
desk.
USING “WHEN” WITH PAST CONTINUOUS
• We can use when to talk about a short event that happens in
the middle of longer activity.

I was walking in the park when I heard an explosion.

(long activity) (short event)

• The verb in a when-clause is often simple past.

When my mom called me last night, I was washing the dishes.

PAST SIMPLE or PAST CONTINUOUS
1. It _____________
was snowing (snow) when I __________
left (leave) home
this morning.
2. It was a sunny afternoon and people __________
were sitting (sit)
started
on the grass in the park. Then suddenly it __________
(start) to rain.
3. A: I tried to explain my problem to her.
B: _________________
Did she listen (she/listen)?
4. My brother ______________
was talking (talk) on the phone when I
saw
arrived, but when he ____________ (see) me, he
___________
finished (finish) the call.
 were working (work) in their laboratory
5. The scientists _______________
discovered
when they _______________ (discover) the new drug.
6. We ______________
were climbing (climb) the wall when the gardener
__________
saw (see) us.
7. Vicky _____________
was having (have) a beautiful dream when the
alarm clock ___________
rang (ring).
was
8. Susan ________ (play) the piano while Mary __________
was singing
(sing) playing
9. I _____________
was studying (study) grammar when I __________
fell
(fall) asleep.