Past Continuous

The past continuous (also called past progressive) describes actions in progress at a specific time in the past.

Formation

Affirmative

was/were + verb-ing

Examples:

• I was reading a book.
• She was cooking dinner.
• They were playing football.

Negative

was/were + not + verb-ing

• I was not (wasn’t) sleeping.
• She wasn’t working.
• They were not (weren’t) listening.

Questions

Was/Were + subject + verb-ing?

• Was she sleeping?
• Were they listening?
• What were you doing?

When to Use Past Continuous

1. Action in Progress at a Specific Time

What was happening at a particular moment:

• At 8 pm, I was watching TV.
• This time last year, I was living in London.
• What were you doing at midnight?

2. Interrupted Actions

Action in progress interrupted by another action:

• I was taking a shower when the phone rang.
• She was walking home when it started to rain.
• They were having dinner when we arrived.

Pattern: Past continuous + when + simple past

3. Parallel Actions

Two or more actions happening at the same time:

• While I was cooking, she was cleaning.
• He was reading while the children were playing.
• The sun was shining and the birds were singing.

Pattern: While + past continuous, past continuous

4. Background/Setting in Stories

Setting the scene:

• It was raining. The wind was blowing. She was walking alone…
• Everyone was dancing and laughing at the party.

5. Temporary Past Situations

• I was working in a café that summer.
• She was staying with friends while looking for a flat.

6. Annoying Past Habits (with “always”)

• He was always complaining about everything!
• She was constantly losing her things.

Simple Past vs. Past Continuous

Examples:

• I read a book yesterday. (completed)

• I was reading a book at 8 pm. (in progress at that time)

• She arrived at 7. (completed)

• I was cooking when she arrived. (in progress → interrupted)

When vs. While

When + simple past (short action):

• I was sleeping when the alarm went off.

While + past continuous (longer action):

• While I was sleeping, someone called.

Both possible:

• When/While I was walking home, I met an old friend.

Common Patterns

Past Continuous + When + Simple Past

The longer action is interrupted:

• I was driving when I saw the accident.
• She was sleeping when the earthquake hit.

While + Past Continuous, Simple Past

• While I was shopping, I lost my wallet.
• While she was running, she fell.

While + Past Continuous, Past Continuous

Two parallel actions:

• While I was working, he was watching TV.

Practice

Choose the correct form:

1. “What ___ you ___ (do) at 9 pm last night?” → What were you doing at 9 pm last night?

2. “I ___ (sleep) when you ___ (call).” → I was sleeping when you called.

3. “While she ___ (talk) on the phone, someone ___ (knock) on the door.” → While she was talking on the phone, someone knocked on the door.

4. “At this time last year, I ___ (travel) through Europe.” → At this time last year, I was traveling through Europe.