PAST CONTINUOUS

TENSE

AHMAD RAFIQUL IHSAN

PENDIDKAN BAHASA INGGRIS
“ PAST CONTINUOUS TENSE

In learning English grammar, of course we will know tenses to know how to make
sentences

Tenses are one of the most basic materials in learning English that you
shouldn't miss! One of them we learn about the past continuous tense
”
which serves to explain an event that has been going on for a long time
but is still happening
 PAST CONTINUOUS TENSE FORMULA
Before entering into the formula, let's discuss a little more about this tense by looking at
the points below:
1. The past continuous tense is formed with the auxiliary verb "be", in the form of was or
were. This is because the past tense (happened in the past), and the present participle.
2. Was for singular subject in the form of singular nouns (such as: Andi, book, and cat)
and singular pronouns (such as: I, she, he, and it) except "you".
3. On the other hand, were, which is a plural verb, is used in plural subjects such as
plural nouns (such as cats, people, books) and plural pronouns (such as you, they, we, and
cats), and you.
 SENTENCES IN THE PAST CONTINUOUS TENSE ARE DIVIDED
INTO THREE, NAMELY: POSITIVE SENTENCES, NEGATIVE
SENTENCES, AND INTERROGATIVE SENTENCES

• 1.positive sentence
• S + be (was/were) + present participle (-ing). Example of sentences:
• He was sleeping
• The people were waiting
• 2. Negative sentence
• S + be (was/were) + not + present participle (-ing). Example of sentences:
• He wasn’t sleeping
• The people weren’t waiting
• 3. Interrogative sentence
• be (was/were) + S + present participle (-ing)? Example of sentences:
• Was he sleeping?
• Were the people waiting?
 FUNCTIONS AND USAGE
• Reporting from Grammarly, there are several functions of the past continuous tense that you need to
know. Among others are:
• To indicate an action that occurred during a certain moment in the past. The time information or time
expression that can be used is: at this time yesterday, at 5 am this morning, all day yesterday, in July.
What if we want to apply it in a sentence?
• I was having dinner at this time yesterday. (Saya sedang makan malam pada jam ini kemarin.)
• What was she doing at 7 am this morning? (Apa yang sedang dia lakukan jam tujuh pagi ini?)
• They were making a toast at this time last night. (Mereka sedang membuat roti panggang pada jam
ini kemarin malam.)
• I was doing physically exercises all day yesterday. (Saya sedang melakukan latihan-latihan fisik
sepanjang hari kemarin.)
• In July she was working as a waitress in a well-known restaurant. (Di bulan Juli dia bekerja sebagai
pelayan di sebuah restoran terkenal.)
 FUNCTIONS AND USAGE

To show that there is an action of short duration (simple past tense) that occurs when an action of long
duration (past continuous tense) is in progress. The subordinate conjunctions while and when can be
used with the formulation of simple past tense + while + past continuous tense and past continuous
tense + when + simple past tense. What is an example sentence?
The door was knocked while I was reading a book. (Pintu diketuk ketika saya sedang membaca buku.)
My mother was cleaning the carpet when I got home. (Ibu saya sedang membersihkan karpet ketika
saya tiba di rumah.)
She was sleeping when you called her. (Dia sedang tidur ketika kamu meneleponnya.)
 FUNCTIONS AND USAGE

The past continuous tense can also be used to talk about something that happens
over and over again. The intervals of occurrence are random but actually a natural
habit. This tense is sometimes used to criticize an action. Example:
I was repeatedly checking things. (Saya dulu berulang kali memeriksa sesuatu.)
The girl was always yelling out loud. (Anak itu selalu menjerit keras-keras.)
My neighbor was always chasing stray cats off with his broom. (Tetangga saya selalu
mengusir kucing-kucing liar dengan sapunya.)
 FUNCTIONS AND USAGE

Finally, this tense can also be used with verbs that indicate change or growth, such
as: grow up, improve, go, and change. Example of sentences:
• His hair was going so thin. (Rambutnya menjadi sangat tipis.)
• My life was changing rapidly. (Hidup saya berubah dengan cepat.)
THANK YOU