Past Continuous

We usually use the Past Continuous to talk about activities that lasted for some time in the past. The actions can be interruped by...

We usually use the Past Continuous to talk about activities that lasted for some time in the past. The actions can be interruped by something or can be happening at the same time.

Examples

The cat was sleeping on the sofa.
I was eating the dinner when someone knocked at the door.
While he was watching TV, I was working hard.
I was wondering if you could help me.

-We use the Past Continuous to talk about actions or situations that lasted for some time in the past, and whose duration time is unknown or unimportant.

Examples:

I was watching TV yesterday in the evening.
She was sleeping on the couch.
The dog was barking.

-The Past Continuous is often used when one action in progress is interruped by another action in the past. We usually use when or while to link these two sentences.

Examples:

I was talking with James when the telephone rang.
While Angelica was playing tennis, the plane crashed .
When Bob was painting windows, it started raining.

-We also use this tense to talk about two or more activities happening at the same. We usually use when or while to link the two sentences.

Examples:

I was watching TV and Barbara was reading a book.
The family was eating the dinner and talking.
When Bob was painting windows, Mary was working in the kitchen.

Form

To form a sentence in the Past Continuous, you need:

The proper conjugation of the auxiliary verb "to be" in the past form
The Present Participle of your verb (verb + ing)

1. Auxiliary verb "to be"

The past form of the auxiliary verb "to be" is:

For the first and third person singular: "was"
For all others: "were"

Examples:

She was always coming late for dinner!
You were always coming late for dinner!

2. The Present Participle

The present participle is of a verb is a verb form that appears with the present tenses. The present participle is formed by adding -ing to the verb.