Past Continuous

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In English, the past continuous is used to describe actions that happened in the past. However, unlike the past simple tense, it describes actions that happened for a period of time in the past.[1]https://7esl.com/past-continuous-tense/

past continuous

When do we use the past continuous?

It is important to know when to properly use the past continuous tense.

Parallel Actions

The past continuous is used to describe two actions happening at the same time in the past.

For example:

  • I was studying for the exam, while she was watching tv.
  • They were setting the table, while she was cooking the meal.
  • We were sleeping while it was raining.
  • The class was taking a test, while the teacher was sleeping.

Two Actions

It can also be used to describe when one action is interrupted by another action in the past.

In this case, the first action uses the past continuous tense, while the action that is doing the interrupting uses the past simple tense.

For example:

  • I was washing the dishes, when she said that she had to go.
  • Susie was running when the bike crashed into her.
  • Frank was driving when he received the call.
  • They were walking on the street when it started to rain.

Describe a point in time

The past continuous can describe a period of time in the past.

For example:

  • The truck driver was driving all day yesterday.
  • I was studying all weekend.
  • They were cooking all morning for the Thanksgiving meal.
  • The dog was barking all night long.
  • I was working all weekend.

Repetition

It can be used to describe repetition in the past.

For example,

  • I was taking the bus to school every day when I was young.
  • They were eating at the same restaurant every Friday.
  • We were watching the same movie every Christmas.

Example Exercises

 10%

Question 1 of 10

1. Joe ______ eating, when they called him.

Question 1 of 10

Question 2 of 10

2. We ________ sleeping during the storm.

Question 2 of 10

Question 3 of 10

3. My car ________ not working.

Question 3 of 10

Question 4 of 10

4. Anne _____ working as a teacher, when we first met her.

Question 4 of 10

Question 5 of 10

5. My class _______ taking an exam this morning.

Question 5 of 10

Question 6 of 10

6. Susie ______ sleeping, when I knocked on the door.

Question 6 of 10

Question 7 of 10

7. _______ I playing video games last weekend?

Question 7 of 10

Question 8 of 10

8. My friends and I ________ swimming all weekend.

Question 8 of 10

Question 9 of 10

9. They _______ eating lunch at the restaurant at 12:30 pm.

Question 9 of 10

Question 10 of 10

10. They ______ hiking all weekend.

Question 10 of 10


 

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