PAST CONTINUOUS TENSE

BY
G.NANDHU [21321A0551]
N.NAINI [21321A0550]
 Past Continuous Tense

 The past continuous tense, also known as the past progressive tense, refers to a
continuing action or state that was happening at some point in the past
 The past continuous tense is formed by combining the past tense of to be (i.e.,
was/were) with the verb’s present participle (-ing word).
 The structure of past continuous tense is

Subject + (was/were) + (verb + ing) + Object

The Structures of Past Continuous/Progressive Tense


POSITIVE FORM (+):  
Subject + BE ( was / were ) + Verb-ING


NEGATIVE FORM (-):
Subject + BE ( was / were ) + NOT + Verb-ING

 QUESTION FORM (?):

BE ( was / were ) + Subject + Verb-ING

 SHORT ANSWER FORM ( + / – ) :

YES / NO + Subject + BE (was/were) / BE(was/were) NOT 
Mapping

I
Was
He Playing
Wasn’t
She Swimming
It Running
John Eating
Singing
Reading

We
Were
You
Weren’t
They
Ram &
Tina
Usage
There are many situations in which this verb tense might be used in a sentence. For
example, it is often used to describe conditions that existed in the past.
Examples:
The sun was shining every day that summer.
As I spoke, the children were laughing at my cleverness.

It can also be used to describe something that was happening continuously in the
past when another action interrupted it.
Examples :
The audience was applauding until he fell off the stage.
I was making dinner when she arrived.
 Usage
 The past continuous can shed light on what was happening at a precise time in the
past.
Example:
At 6 o’clock, I was eating dinner.

 It can also refer to a habitual action in the past .

Example:
She was talking constantly in class in those days.
 Note:
 Though the irregularities are few, not every verb is suited to describe a continuous
action. Certain verbs can’t be used in the past continuous tense.
One common example is the verb to arrive.
Incorrect : At noon, he was arriving.
Correct : At noon, he arrived .
 We don’t use the past continuous in the same way as used to when we refer to things
in the past which are no longer true:
Example:
We used to have picnics in the park in the summer.
Note: We were having picnics in the park in the summer.
Examples of Past Continuous Tense
• I was writing articles on different topics.
• He was reading various kinds of books.
• They were playing football in that field.
• She was drinking coffee in that coffee shop.
• He was studying in the library.
• We were shopping in this market last week.
• We were watching a movie in this Cineplex yesterday.
• You were shopping in that market.
Exercise
1. She __________ her child. (beat)
2. He ___________ the dust from the blower. (blow)
3. What _____ she _______ for her husband on his birthday? (buy)
4. He _____________ his own plaster in the hospital. (break)
5. _____ you _________ down the tree last night? (cut)
6. She _____________ with the shopkeeper yesterday. (deal)
7. ______ we ________ for picnic? (go)
8. He _________ something from us. (hide)
9. You were ______ the bill to the delivery boy. (pay)
10.They __________ on the roller coaster for a ride. (sit)
Answers
1. She was beating her child.
2. He was blowing the dust from the blower.
3. What was she buying for her husband on his birthday?
4. He was breaking his own plaster in the hospital.
5. were you cutting down the tree last night?
6. She was dealing with the shopkeeper yesterday.
7. were we going for a picnic?
8. He was hiding something from us.
9. You were paying the bill to the delivery boy.
10.They were sitting on the roller coaster for a ride.
 Thank you!!!

for your attention…..