We use the Past Continuous to talk about past actions in progress. The actions can also be interrupted by something (I was eating my breakfast when the telephone rang), plus there are several other use
–>Use
- Actions in progress
- Interrupted actions in progress*
- Actions in progress at the same time in the past.
- Irritation
- Timid /polite question (read more below)
*events that were in progress when another event happened. We often use when to link these two events.
Timid /polite question
- I was wondering if…
I was thinking you might…
Although these sentences have the Past Continuous form, they apply to the present moment. Their meaning is similar to the “could you” sentences but they are more polite.
- I was wondering if you could carry my bag.
A rhinoceros was swatting flies with his tail when suddenly a fly bit him (Use 2)
–>
Form
<!–
–>
Positive sentences:
|
Subject |
+ |
Auxiliary verb |
+ |
Verb + ing |
|
I/a dog etc. |
was/were |
going/taking |
At 3 p.m., I was having lunch (Use 1)
(the lunch started earlier than 3 p.m.)
They were talking about her when she walked into the room. (Use 2)
While Kenneth was cleaning the living room, Sam was washing the dishes. (Use 3)
We were all thinking about our holidays. (Use 1)
Shannon was filling in a questionnaire when the pen ran out of ink. (Use 2)
Yesterday at this time
Steven Seagal was riding a horse (Use 1)
John was smoking a cigarette when he saw a spider (Use 2)
–>
Questions (interrogative sentences):
|
Auxiliary verb |
+ |
Subject |
+ |
Verb + ing |
|
was/were |
I/a dog etc. |
going/taking |
Was she going to the theater when it started raining? (Use 2)
What were the defenders doing when Kenneth struck the ball? (Use 2)
Were you painting your house yesterday at 5 p.m.? (Use 1)
Was Mary shopping when the mall was burning ? (Use 3) <!–
–>
Negative sentences:
|
Subject |
+ |
Auxiliary verb + not |
+ |
Verb + ing |
|
I/a dog etc. |
wasn’t/weren’t |
going/taking |
He asked me why I wasn’t having dinner at the hotel. (Use 1)
we weren’t playing football when the earthquake began. (Use 2)
Remember that you can also use the Past Continuous to show your irritation over something or somebody in the past. E.g. She was always asking me stupid questions.
EXERCISE
Decide whether the Past Continuous or Past Simple should be used in each gap.
|
We _____ (go) down the road at 100 kph when the wheel ____ (fall) off |
|
He nearly _____ (have) a heart attack when he ______ (see) the bear. |
|
Uncle Ben _____ (get) dressed ___when he ____ (feel) a shap pain in his chest. |
|
The winning racing driver ____ (shake) the bottle then _____ (take) the cork out. |
|
She ______ (fill) in a questionnaire when the pen _____ (run)out of ink. |
|
They ____ (watch) TV when the lights ____ (go) off. |
|
Mike ____ (not see) his friend because he ____ (face) the other way. |
Do this exercice by writting the correct sentense
Last night, while I was doing my homework, Angela (call) . She said she (call) me on her cell phone from her biology classroom at UCLA. I asked her if she (wait) for class, but she said that the professor was at the front of the hall lecturing while she (talk) to me. I couldn’t believe she (make) a phone call during the lecture. I asked what was going on.
She said her biology professor was so boring that several of the students (sleep, actually) in class. Some of the students (talk) about their plans for the weekend and the student next to her (draw) a picture of a horse. When Angela (tell) me she was not satisfied with the class, I (mention) that my biology professor was quite good and (suggest) that she switch to my class.
While we were talking, I (hear) her professor yell, “Miss, are you making a phone call?” Suddenly, the line went dead. I (hang) up the phone and went to the kitchen to make dinner. As I (cut) vegetables for a salad, the phone rang once again. It (be) Angela, but this time she wasn’t sitting in class.
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