2nd Meeting - Past Continuous Tense

Hi! Today we are going to learn about the past continuous tense. What is it and what is the use of it?
The past continuous tense, also known as the past progressive tense, refers to a continuing action or state that was happening at some point in the past. The past continuous tense is formed by combining the past tense of to be (i.e., was/were) with the verb’s present participle (-ing word).
There are many situations in which this verb tense might be used in a sentence. For example, it is often used to describe conditions that existed in the past.
Example :

The sun was shining every day that summer.

As I spoke, the children were laughing at my cleverness.

It can also be used to describe something that was happening continuously in the past when another action interrupted it.

Example :

The audience was applauding until he fell off the stage.

I was making dinner when she arrived.

 The past continuous can shed light on what was happening at a precise time in the past.
Example:

At 6 o’clock, I was eating dinner.

It can also refer to a habitual action in the past.

Example:

She was talking constantly in class in those days.

One final caution: Though the irregularities are few, not every verb is suited to describing a continuous action. Certain verbs can’t be used in the past continuous tense. One common example is the verb to arrive.
Example:

At noon, he was arriving.

At noon, he arrived .

Forming the Past continuous

The past continuous of any verb is composed of two parts: the past tense of the verb "to be" (was/were), and the base of the main verb +ing.

 

   Exercise!

Put the verbs into the correct form (past progressive).

1. When I phoned my friends, they (play) monopoly.
2. Yesterday at six I (prepare) dinner.
3. The kids (play) in the garden when it suddenly began to rain.
4. I (practice) the guitar when he came home.
5. We (not / cycle) all day.
6. While Alan (work) in his room, his friends (swim) in the pool.
7. I tried to tell them the truth but they (not / listen ) .
8. What (you / do) yesterday?
9. Most of the time we (sit) in the park.
10. I (listen) to the radio while my sister (watch) TV.
11. When I arrived, They (play) cards.
12. We (study) English yesterday at 4:00 pm .

Check your answer by clicking the show button below

1. When I phoned my friends, they (play) were playing monopoly.
2. Yesterday at six I (prepare) was preparing dinner.
3. The kids (play) were playing in the garden when it suddenly began to rain.
4. I (practise) was practicing the guitar when he came home.
5. We (not / cycle) were not cycling / weren't cycling all day.
6. While Alan (work) was working in his room, his friends (swim) were swimmingin the pool.
7. I tried to tell them the truth but they ( not/listen) were not listening / weren't listening.
8. What (you / do) were you doing yesterday?
9. Most of the time we (sit) were sitting in the park.
10. I (listen) were listening to the radio while my sister (watch) was watching TV.
11. When I arrived, They (play) were playing cards.
12. We (study) were studying English yesterday at 4:00 pm.