2. 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.

Affirmative Interrogative Negative

I was reading Was I reading? I was not reading

He was reading Was he reading? He was not reading

She was reading Was she reading? She was not reading

We were reading Were we reading? We were not reading

You were reading Were you reading? You were not reading

They were reading Were they reading? They were not reading

3. The contracted forms are:

He wasn’t reading; They weren’t reading

4. The negative-interrogative forms are:

Was he not reading?; Wasn't he reading?; Were they not reading?; Weren’t they reading?

§ 12. The use of the Past Continuous.

1. The Past Continuous is used to denote an action which was going on at a definite moment in the past.The definite moment is indicated either by another past action expressed by a verb in the Past Indefinite or by an adverbial phrase.

When I returned, she was sweeping the floor.

At midnight he was still working.

The definite moment is often not expressed, but understood from the situation,

He did not notice what was going on around him — he was reading.

The Past Continuous is used to denote a certain state or qualify peculiar to the person at a given moment in the past.

He knew he was being scientific.

2. The Past Continuous or the Past Indefinite is often used after such phrases as the whole day, all day long.

They were working in the garden all day long.

They worked in the garden all day long.

3. The Past Continuous is used to denote an action thought of as a continual process. In this case the adverbs always, ever, constantly are used. The Past Continuous in this use is often to be found in emotional speech.

She was constantly complaining of being lonely.

THE FUTURE CONTINUOUS

§ 13. The formation of the Future Continuous.

1. The Future Continuous is formed by means of the Future Indefinite of the auxiliary verb to be and Participle I of the notional verb.

2. In the interrogative form the first auxiliary verb is placed before the subject.

In the negative form the negative particle not is placed after the first auxiliary verb.

Affirmative Interrogative Negative

I shall be reading Shall I be reading? I shall not be reading

He will be reading Will he be reading? He will not be reading

She will be reading Will she be reading? She will not be reading

We shall be reading Shall we be reading? We shall not be reading

You will be reading Will you be reading? You will not be reading

They will be reading Will they be reading? They will not be reading