PAST CONTINUOUS TENSE
BY
SMART LEARNING WAY
Contents
Types of Continuous Tense
Introduction
Meaning and Definition of Past Continuous Tense
Tense singling words
Forming the past continuous tense
Form of Past Continuous
Structure
Negative
Interrogative
Passive
Use the Past Continuous Tense
Final Tips …
• SimpleContinuous
Tense
• PastContinuous
Tense
• Future
Continuous Tense
Introduction of Past Continuous Tense
The past continuous is usually used when one action began before
another, and finished after it.
The past continuous tense (also called the past progressive
tense) is commonly used in English for actions which were going on (had not
finished) at a particular time in the past. This page will explain the rules
for forming the tense, and how it is used.
Definition of Past Continuous Tense
It is used for actions and states that were unfinished at a
certain time in the past or to stress the duration of something.
We use the past continuous tense to describe a past action that
happened over a period of time.
Tense singling words
Then , at that time , while , yesterday, when, at this time ,
before, after etc.
Example :
1. A teacher was preparing a timetable then,
I came.
2. I came at that time they were
walking in the garden.
3. Ben was singing while Sarah was
dancing.
4. I saw you in
the park yesterday. You were sitting on the grass and reading a
book.
5. Tom burnt his
hand when he was cooking the dinner.
6. I came at that time when they
were walking in the garden.
7. Before starting music. She was
dancing on the stage.
8. After making list ,She was going
to the market.
Forming the past continuous tense
This tense was formed using two components: the verb BE (in the
past tense), and the -ING form of a verb. Here are the rules, using the example
verb "sing":
Form of Past
Continuous
Active:
Subject
+ was / were + verb + ing
Negative:
Subject
+ was / were + not + verb+ing
Interrogative
Was / Were
+ subject + verb+ing ?
Information
Question:
(WH)+Was /
Were+subject
+ verb+ing
Passive
Object +
was/were + being + third form of verb + by + Subject.
Structure Forms of Past Continuous Tense
Subject +was/were +verb +ing +object(a.v)
Example :
1. I was writing a letter.
2. We were playing a game.
3. You were wasting a time.
4. He was drawing a picture.
5. She was chopping vegetable.
6. They were going out of station.
7. He was finishing his homework.
8. I was sweeping the corridor.
Negative Forms of Past Continuous Tense
We form the negative by adding not after was/were.
Subject +was/were not +verb +ing +object
example :
1. I was not writing a letter.
2. We were not playing a game.
3. You were not wasting a time.
4. He was not drawing a picture.
5. She was not cutting vegetables.
6. They were not going out of station.
7. She was not paying attention, when the
teacher called her.
8. You were not listening.
Interrogative
Was/Were+ Subject +verb +ing +object+?
Example :
1. Was I writing a letter ?
2. Were we playing a game ?
3. Were you wasting a time ?
4. Was he drawing a picture ?
5. Was she cutting vegetables ?
6. Were they going out of station ?
Passive
Object + was/were + being + third form of verb + by + Subject.
1. A letter was being written by me.
2. A game was being played by us.
3. A time was being wasted by you.
4. A Picture was being drawn by him.
5. Vegetable was being chopped by her.
6. Delhi was being visited by them.
Use the Past Continuous Tense
1)We use the past continuous tense to describe
a past action over a period of time
2)We use the past continuous to say that
somebody was in the middle of doing something at a certain time. The
action or situation had already started before this time but had not finished
Example:-
At 10:15 they were playing tennis.
We also use past continuous to make POLITE
REQUESTS:
I was hoping we could discuss a pay raise.
I was wondering if you have time to see me.
There are some verbs (for example,
know/want/believe) that are not normally used in the continuous:
1. We were good
friends. We knew each other well (not “we were knowing”).
2. I was
enjoying the party but Chris wanted to go home.
Form: Using past and past continuous together
Use simple past for the interrupting action.
1.I was crossing the streetwhen the signal showed
the red light.
2.I was sleeping when the telephone rang
and woke me up.
3.He was driving too fast when he crashed
the car.
4.We were watching the news when the announcer made
a special live report.
5.I was trying to study when you called.
Final Tips …
Use while for two actions in progress at the same
time in the past:
She was talking while he was driving.
Use when when telling about sequence of events (one
action that was in progress that was interrupted by another event in the past):
I was just leaving when you called.
(first action in
progress)
(interrupting event)
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