Past Continuous

I. Functions:

Past Continuous can be used:

• When a long action was suddenly paused by a short action in the past:

Example: The family was preparing for dinner when the guest came.

I was going home when I bumped into him.

• When two long actions happened at the same time (while, when, ...)

Example: My father was reading some newspapers while my mother was preparing lunch.

The singers were performing on stage when the cameraman was recording them.

• To stress that an action was happening around a point of time in the past.

Example: At this time last year I was working at a café.

They were having lunch at 1PM yesterday.

II. Form:

+ Affirmative:

He/She/It + was + V-ing

You/We/They + were + V-ing

+ Negative:

He/She/It + was not + V-ing

You/We/They + were not + V-ing

Shortened form: was not = wasn't; were not - weren't

+ Question:

Was + I/he/she/it + V-ing

Were + you/we/they + V-ing

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Related posts:

Past Simple

Past Perfect