Past Continuous

Tense
was / were + [ verb – ing ]
 1. To show an action happening at a
time in the past ( usually time
expression is given)
Examples :
1.He was sleeping all yesterday afternoon.
2.They were cleaning the windows at ten in the morning.
3.Were you reading in your room last night?
4.She was waiting for her mother all night.
 2. To show two actions going on at the SAME
TIME in the past ~while
Examples :
1.While she was painting, he was sweeping the floor.
2.While you were talking, the child was crying.
3.While I was reading, he was playing.
4.While the boys were singing, the girls were dancing.
 3. To show an action that was going on in the
past when something happened
~ while , when , as
Examples :
1. I was taking my bath when the telephone rang.
Past continuous Past tense
2. When they were arguing, the teacher walked into the class.
Past continuous Past tense
3. As she was crossing the road, she saw an accident.
Past continuous Past tense
4. John was sleeping when his friend, Paul came.
Past continuous Past tense