Past continuous form
[was/were + present participle]
Examples:
You were studying when she called.
In the interrogative form the auxiliary verb is placed before the subject. In the negative form the negative particle not is placed after the auxiliary verb
Were you studying when she called?
You were not studying when she called.
Use 1 Specific time
The Past Continuous is used when we are talking about an action in progress at a certain moment in the past
Examples:
Last night at 6 PM, I was eating dinner.
At midnight, we were still driving through the desert.
Yesterday at this time, I was sitting at my desk at work.
Note: In the Simple Past, a specific time is used to show when an action began or finished. In the Past Continuous, a specific time only interrupts the action.
Examples:
Last night at 6 PM, I ate dinner. I started eating at 6 PM.
Last night at 6 PM, I was eating dinner. I started earlier; and at 6 PM, I was in the process of eating dinner.
Use 2 Interrupted action in the past
We use the Past Continuous to indicate that a longer action in the past was interrupted. The interruption is usually a shorter action in the Simple Past.
Examples:
I was watching TV when she called.
When the phone rang, she was writing a letter.
While we were having the picnic, it started to rain.
What were you doing when the earthquake started?
I was listening to my iPod, so I didn't hear the fire alarm.
While John was sleeping last night, someone stole his car.
While I was writing the email, the computer suddenly went off.
A: What were you doing when you broke your leg? B: I was snowboarding.
Use 3 Two or more simultaneous past actions
When you use the Past Continuous with two actions in the same sentence, it expresses the idea that both actions were happening at the same time. The actions are simultaneous (parallel).
Examples:
I was studying while he was making dinner.
While Ellen was reading, Tim was watching television.
Were you listening while he was talking?
I wasn't paying attention while I was writing the letter, so I made several mistakes.
What were you doing while you were waiting?
Thomas wasn't working, and I wasn't working either.
They were eating dinner, discussing their plans, and having a good time.
Use 4 Repetition and irritation with "always"
The Past Continuous with words such as "always" or "constantly" expresses the idea that something irritating or shocking often happened in the past. The concept is very similar to the expression "used to" but with negative emotion. Remember to put the words "always" or "constantly" between "be" and "verb+ing."
Examples:
She was always coming to class late.
He was constantly talking. He annoyed everyone.
I didn't like them because they were always complaining.
Time relation and conjunctions as, when and while
A complex sentence with a time clause introduced by the conjunction as when:
a) The actions of the two clauses may be fully simultaneous. The simple past is commonly found in both clauses.
e.g. As he got older he got more optimistic.
As the tree grew, its leaves turned brown.
NOTE: A continuous form is usually used for longer ‘background’ action or situation (was walking, are having, were playing;):
e.g. It was raining as I was walking up the hill towards the station at six o’clock on a Saturday.
But as and while can be used with a simple tense, especially with verbs like sit, stand, lie, grow etc. which refer to a continuous action or state:
e.g. As I sat reading the paper, the door burst open.
b) The actions of the principal and subordinate clauses may be partially simultaneous. The action of the subordinate clause serves as a ‘background’ for the action of the principal clause which is usually a shorter accomplished action. The simple past is found in the principal clause and the past continuous in the subordinate clause.
e.g. As I was walking in the street, I saw Bob.
As we were leaving home, the telephone rang.
c) The actions of the two clauses may form a succession. The simple past is found in both clauses.
e.g. As I turned back into the room a gust of wind crashed the door shut behind me.
As the sun rose, the birds began to sing.
Time clauses introduced by when:
a) The two actions may be fully simultaneous. We find the simple past in both clauses.
When he lived in that small town his friends often visited him.
His parents died when he was twelve.
b) The actions can be partially simultaneous (the action/situation of the principal clause serves as a
background for the action of a when clause which is a short accomplished action). The past continuous is found in the principal clause and the past simple in the subordinate clause.
e.g. It was raining when we arrived
When I saw him in the street, he was arguing with an elderly man.
c) A when clause may serves to introduce a longer ‘background’ action or situation, which is/was going on when something else happens/happened.
He hurt his back when he was working in the garden.
My boss doesn’t/ didn’t like to be interrupted when he is/was having an important talk.
The telephone always rings/rang when you are/ were having a bath.
NOTE: (just) as; (just) when are used to say that two short actions or events happen/happened at the same time.
e.g. Mary always arrives/arrived just as I start/started work.
I thought of it just when you opened your mouth.
Time clauses introduced by while:
a) The two actions may be fully simultaneous. In this case either the simple past is found in both sentences or the past continues is found in the subordinate clause and the simple past is found in the principal clause. We may as well find the past continuous in both sentences.
e.g. Martha said nothing but looked from one face to the other while they discussed the plans.
She sat still as a statue while he was playing the sonata.
The child was drawing while her mother was ironing her clothes.
b) Partially simultaneous actions - the action of the subordinate clause serves as a background for the action of the principal clause which is a shorter accomplished action. The simple past is found in the principal clause and the past continuous in the subordinate clause.
e.g. He fell asleep while he was reading a book.
Dave broke his leg while he was playing football (or …while playing football)
While they were playing cards, somebody broke into the house.
Time expressions used with the Past Continuous:
while, when, as, all morning/evening/day/night, etc. |