Past Progressive

It is used to denote an action:

1. that was already happening at a particular past moment

The precise time limits of the action are not known. This past moment can be indicated by adverbial phrases; by another past action expressed by the verb in the Past Indefinite.

In the narrative, the Past Continuous is often used for descriptions and the Past Simple for events and actions.

When I got up this morning, the sun was shining, the birds were singing.

The phone rang while I was taking a bath, as usual.

Little Mary came in. She was eating an ice-cream.

2. going on at a given period of time in the past

The precise limits of the action are not known and usually it’s a temporary action. The indication of the past period of time is generally understood from the context.

She met her first husband when she was working in New York.

So that fellow Jolyon was in Paris – what was he doing there?

3. thought of as a continuous process generally characterizing the subject

Adverbs always, constantly, forever are used.

She was constantly laughing as she was always trying to attract attention at all costs.

You remember how she was always writing verses.

4. the Past Continuous of the verbs to expect, to intend, to hope, to plan, to mean may be used to show that the planned action wasn’t carried out.

I was meaning to go there.

5. we can use the Past Progressive in the expressions I was wondering, I was hoping, I was thinking to make a request or suggestion sound more polite, less definite, so that they become more an invitation to discuss the subject than a demand for ‘yes’ or ‘no’ answers.

I was wondering if you’d like to come out with me.

We can use I was thinking of to introduce vague future plans.

Sentence patterns with Past Simple and Past Progressive

1. A complex sentence with a clause of time introduced by the conjunction as:

1. if the actions of the two clauses are fully simultaneous

Past Simple is commonly found in both.

I watched him as he drank his tea.

Roy talked little as he drove home.

Occasionally, when the verb in the principal clause is terminative, it is used in Past Progressive. Past Simple is used in the clause of time to indicate a completed action.

As I poured her out a glass of sherry, she was saying: "I always…"

2. if the actions of the two clauses are partially simultaneous

The action of the subordinate clause (Past Progressive) serves as a background for the action of the principal clause which is usually a shorter accomplished action (Past Simple).

One evening, just as I was leaving the office, Martin rang me up.

3. if the actions of the two clauses form a succession

Only Past Simple is used in both.

As I turned back into the room a gust of wind crashed the door shut behind me.

2. A complex sentence with a clause of time introduced by the conjunction while:

1. if the actions of the two clauses are fully simultaneous

Either Past Progressive or Past Simple is used in the subordinate clause and Past Simple is normally found in the principal clause.

Martha said nothing but looked from one face to the other while they discussed plans.

She sat still as a statue while he was playing a sonata.

2. if the actions of the two clauses are partially simultaneous

The action of the subordinate clause (Past Progressive) serves as a background for the action of the principal clause which is usually a shorter accomplished action (Past Simple).

While I was reading, I heard a splash from the bath, and I realized that Martin must be there.

While he stood there wondering what sort of pictures to hang on the walls he heard the telephone ring.