Definition of Past Continuous

The past continuous tense describes an action that was happening at a specific point in the past. It is formed with
the past tense of "to be" (was/were) and the present participle of the main verb (-ing form).

by Thet Htar Zaw

Usage of Past Continuous

Actions in Progress
Use to describe actions that were happening at a
specific time in the past.

Setting the Scene

It can be used to set the scene or describe the
background of a story.
Examples of Past Continuous in
sentences
Affirmative Negative Interrogative

Subject + was/were + verb-ing + Subject + was/were not + verb- Was/Were + subject + verb-ing +
object ing + object object?

"They were laughing and "They weren't watching TV." "Were they studying in the
chatting." library?"

Wh-question + was/were +
subject + verb-ing + object?

"What were you doing last

night?"
Difference between Past
Continuous and Past Simple
1 Past Continuous
Describes actions in progress at a
specific point in the past.
2 Past Simple
Describes completed actions or a series
of actions in the past.