Past Continuous
Use of the Past Continuous:
We use the Past Continuous, to give a duration to an action in the past, or when one action interrupts another action in the past. But the primary function of the Past Continuous is that it gives a description/narrative of a past event.
actions that were in progress at a specif time in the past
Peter was watching a TV yesterday evening.
actions that had a duration in the past
yesterday evening at 9.00 o’clock I was reading the newspaper
two actions in the past that were happening at the same time
Susan was listening to the radio while Alex was reading the Guardian.
together with Simple Past
While we were walking in the park, the telephone rang.
past repeated actions irritating the speaker (with always, constantly, forever)
Jim was always arriving late for the meetings.
Key words
- While
- Before
- When
- After
Form
auxiliary in the past of to be was/were+ infinitive + ing
Note important! Some verbs are not normally used in Continuous form i.e. know, want, love,need, prefer etc. (for further reference see Present Continuous).
Affirmative form
Long forms | Contracted forms |
---|---|
I was reading a book. | not possible |
You were reading a book. | |
He was reading a book. |
Negative form
Long forms | Contracted forms |
---|---|
I was not reading a book when the phone rang. | I wasn’t reading a book when the phone rang. |
You were not reading a book when the phone rang. | You weren’t reading a book when the phone rang. |
He was not reading a book when the phone rang. | He wasn’t reading a book when the phone rang. |
Interrogative form
Long forms | Contracted forms |
---|---|
Was I watching TV? | not possible |
Were you watching TV when the phone rang? | |
Was he watching TV when the phone rang? |