Past ContinuousPast Continuous

Form = was/were + verb-ingForm = was/were + verb-ing

Ex. Yone Ex. Yone was tryingwas trying to find a date for to find a date for the party when Vicki gave the the party when Vicki gave the directions for the assignment.directions for the assignment.

Past Continuous is used for an action Past Continuous is used for an action in progress as a specific time in the in progress as a specific time in the past.past.

EX. Sharifa EX. Sharifa was laughingwas laughing at at 10:00A.M. yesterday in Tom’s class.10:00A.M. yesterday in Tom’s class.

Past Continuous is used for a past Past Continuous is used for a past action that was in progress when action that was in progress when another action happened. another action happened.

Ex. We Ex. We were havingwere having a normal ESL a normal ESL class when something unbelievable class when something unbelievable happened.happened.

Ex. Crystal and Stacey Ex. Crystal and Stacey were were screamingscreaming when the creatures when the creatures walked in.walked in.

When two actions in the past happen When two actions in the past happen at the same time and we emphasize at the same time and we emphasize the duration of each action, we use the duration of each action, we use past continuous for both.past continuous for both.

Karl Karl was hidingwas hiding while Sikander while Sikander was was fightingfighting the aliens. the aliens.

Past Continuous is often used with Past Continuous is often used with clauses while and as.clauses while and as.

While Sikander While Sikander was fightingwas fighting the the aliens, QingMei aliens, QingMei was callingwas calling the the police.police.

Past Continuous is not used with Past Continuous is not used with non-action verbs.non-action verbs.

NO-- Ngoc NO-- Ngoc was smellingwas smelling the aliens. the aliens.

Past Continuous sometimes Past Continuous sometimes expresses repetition in the past.expresses repetition in the past.

Parvin Parvin was hidingwas hiding all night long! all night long!

Past continuous with forever, Past continuous with forever, constantly, and always expresses a constantly, and always expresses a frequent activity in the past about frequent activity in the past about which we feel emotion.which we feel emotion.

Ex. Ma Ex. Ma was forever falling in lovewas forever falling in love with aliens!with aliens!

Use past continuous in indirect Use past continuous in indirect speech when the direct quote is in speech when the direct quote is in the present continuous.the present continuous.

Ex. Vicki said, “The alien Ex. Vicki said, “The alien is askingis asking Kristina to marry him.” Vicki said the Kristina to marry him.” Vicki said the alien alien was askingwas asking Kristina to marry Kristina to marry him.him.

Simple PastSimple Past

Simple past is used for an action that Simple past is used for an action that interrupts or happens during the past interrupts or happens during the past continuous action.continuous action.

Ex. The aliens Ex. The aliens were laughingwere laughing when when Sikander Sikander punchedpunched them. them.

After After whenwhen the verb is usually in a the verb is usually in a simple tense such as the simple past. simple tense such as the simple past. Simple past can also be used after Simple past can also be used after whilewhile and and asas. Here the meaning is . Here the meaning is continuous.continuous.

Ex. We Ex. We were all standingwere all standing around when around when the door opened.the door opened.

Ex. While the class Ex. While the class watchedwatched in horror, in horror, the strange object the strange object landedlanded..

Simple past can be used for non-Simple past can be used for non-action verbs. Ngoc smelled the action verbs. Ngoc smelled the aliens!!aliens!!

Simple past can be used for Simple past can be used for repetition in the past.repetition in the past.

Ex. Tony Ex. Tony screamedscreamed all afternoon. all afternoon.

Use simple past in indirect speech Use simple past in indirect speech when the direct quote is in the when the direct quote is in the simple present.simple present.

Ex. “Harwinder often Ex. “Harwinder often criescries in class”, in class”, Deepti said.Deepti said.

Deepti said Harwinder often Deepti said Harwinder often criedcried in in class.class.

What are the main differences What are the main differences between the simple past and the between the simple past and the past continuous verb tense?past continuous verb tense?

1. Past Continuous indicates 1. Past Continuous indicates incomplete action vs. a completed incomplete action vs. a completed action in the simple past.action in the simple past.

Ex. He was drowning in the lake. Vs. Ex. He was drowning in the lake. Vs. He drowned in the lake.He drowned in the lake.

Another DifferenceAnother Difference

2. Simple past sees the event as being 2. Simple past sees the event as being complete with no room for change; the complete with no room for change; the past continuous extends the event in time past continuous extends the event in time and allows for a change or interruption.and allows for a change or interruption.

Ex. He left when I came in. Vs. He was Ex. He left when I came in. Vs. He was leaving when I came in. ( He may have leaving when I came in. ( He may have changed his mind and stayed.changed his mind and stayed.