Past continuousUnit 5: Lesson 3

A true story

Usage Use the Past Continuous to indicate

that a longer action in the past was interrupted. The interruption is usually a shorter action in the Simple Past. Remember this can be a real interruption or just an interruption in time.

The Past Continuous is used to talk about what was happening at a special time in the past. It is also know as the Past Progressive. You will be able to see the forms, the use and there is also a link to test your knowledge of the Past Continuous.

Structure Subject Verb Form

I / He / She / It was playing

You / We / They were playing

Subject Verb Form

I / He / She / It was not playing

You / We / They were not playing

Auxiliary Verb and Subject Verb Form

Was + I / He / She / It playing?

Were + You / We / They playing?

Affirmative

Negative

Question

Action in progress at a specific time in the past. At 4pm

yesterday I was watching football.

I was crying and calling my mum and dad.

At 3am last night we were sleeping.

The sun was shining when I woke up this morning.

Action in progress at a specific time in the past. At 4pm yesterday I was watching

football.

back

Action in progress at a specific time in the past. I was crying and calling my mum and

dad.Mum

Dad back

Action in progress at a specific time in the past. At 3am last night we were sleeping.

back

Action in progress at a specific time in the past. The sun was shining when I woke up

this morning.

back