Definition of Past Continuous Tense. A young lady __________ (travel) on the train. Copyright © 2020 LoveToKnow. Examples of this use include: Past continuous can be used with the words always, constantly and forever. Past Continuous Tense Past Continuous Tense usually placed when the action was continued in the past for some time. The past continuous tense is "was watching." ; They were listening to the radio when it broke. The structure of past continuous tense in other section like an affirmative, negative and interrogative sentence 2. They were playing football in that field. You can see a few sentences here to learn past continuous tense. Alam was running towards the train. (comfort / cry) What were you doing when the accident occurred? Point out that the past continuous focuses on a specific moment in the past. Fill in the correct form of the verb in Past Progressive (Continuous) or Past Simple as in the examples. Grandma was constantly singing songs when she made us breakfast. MultipleSelection_MTY2NDE= Past continuous and past simple. We were wondering if she was able to meet us at noon. To form the past continuous positive, use subject + (to be) + verb + -ing Examples: 1. Negative: You were not studyingwhen she called. 24 Past Continuous Tense Example Sentences; 20 Connectors and Example Sentences; 850 Opposite Words List in English; A little, Little, A few, Few, 15 Example Sentences and Definition +70 Irregular Plurals Nouns in English; Verb + Preposition List in English, In From On MultipleSelection_MTY2NDE= Past continuous and past simple. It is formed like this: Subject + was/were + continuous form of the verb ending in -ing, One example of this tense is: I was watching television when she called me last night. I was studying. Essential Basic English Lessons. He was going to pack a ham sandwich for lunch but he decided to make a peanut butter and jelly instead. A man __________ (stand) near to her. Past Continuous Tense is used: The Past Continuous Tense is used to express an action that was happening in the Past at the time of speaking. Tom was wrapping the gift when I walked in the room. I was working when John showed up. Past Continuous Tense represents an on-going action of the past. If two works continued in the past at the same time then these two works there will be past continuous tense. ; He was playing soccer with his friends when his mom called him to go home. When we got to the house yesterday morning, the baby was drinking a bottle. It uses was/were and "ing" is added with the verb. I was not walking alone. I was writing articles on different topics. He was practicing to sing the song for the program. ; I wasn’t studying when the lights went off. (do) The Simple past tense is also know as past indefinite tense and it talks about … My husband was always talking about friends from school. Past Continuous Tense. For making positive statements in the past continuous tense, notice how we use: 1. The kids were not playing with the toys. He __________ (chew) gum. She was wondering if you could babysit after school today. "When I heard the doorbell, I was going downstairs." 2. When we write sentences in simple past we follow this formula : (Subject + was / were + ‘ing’ form of the verb + object). ; I was snowboarding. Examples of this use include: Past continuous tense is often combined with past simple tense. In this combination, the simple past tense interrupted the past progressive tense action. When using it this way, it is used as a request. Past Continuous Tense. Interrupted or Continuous Action in the Past. She was taking selfies before dying. ⬤ Example sentences about past continuous tense. The past Continuous or past progressive tense talks about any continuous action that happened in the past. or. ; I wasn’t studying when the lights went off. We can also use the past continuous to refer to the present or future in hypotheses (when we imagine something). How to Effectively Teach the Past Continuous to EFL and ESL Students. I was making dinner when he arrived at my house this evening. So when we describe an action which was occurred in the past and continued for a short period of time then it’s called Past Continuous Tense. This tense describes actions or events that happened at a specific time in the past. Examples. For example, "I was walking through the park when I met David." Dan was going to accept the job offer in New York but changed his mind later. We were watching a movie in this Cineplex yesterday. Past continuous and hypotheses. The past tense refers to an event or an action that has happened in the past. Alan was cutting the grass the other day when the snake appeared. An example of this combination is: While we were sitting at the stadium, the rain began. We were making fun of her. ; He was playing soccer with his friends when his mom called him to go home. Our neighbor was always telling us funny stories about his daughter. 10 examples of past continuous tense. Formula for affirmative sentences. For example if a person says,” Mark was working in the office”. Simple Present Tense 1. What were you doing when the alarm went off last night? I was going to the Pub. Let’s look at an example of the past continuous tense in context: I was walking to the train station when you called me. Were you enjoying the concert of realistic songs? • Rina was giving me some food. That continuity being ‘being told by Jennifer’. He was not sleeping. I was not watching the cricket match on television. She was playing guitar at the party. For example, the verb "talk" becomes "talked" in the simple past tense. Neither of these actions are happening in the present. Another example of this tense is: We were playing football when he sprained his wrist last week. 24 Past Continuous Tense Example Sentences; 20 Connectors and Example Sentences; 850 Opposite Words List in English; A little, Little, A few, Few, 15 Example Sentences and Definition +70 Irregular Plurals Nouns in English; Verb + Preposition List in English, In From On GapFillTyping_MTYzMzI= Level: intermediate. I was having a great conversation with him when his ex-girlfriend interrupted it. I was writing articles on different topics. They were playing hockey on that field last week. An easy explanation for the past perfect is something happened before. It was raining yesterday. I was shopping at the Dhaka International Trade Fair with my elder brother. She was playing the piano while Ann was singing on stage. ‘was’ for the subjects ‘I’, ‘He’ and ‘She’ and ‘were’ for the subjects ‘You’, ‘We’ and ‘They’ 2. Interrupted or Continuous Action in the Past. Both are formed by subtracting the infinitive ending (-ar, -er or -ir), and replacing it with another. Complete List of Past Continuous Forms I was working when John showed up. Past continuous ( I was working ) - English Grammar Today - a reference to written and spoken English grammar and usage - Cambridge Dictionary You were talking to her. Affirmative Sentences. My guests arrived while I was cooking. These actions are usually no longer happening at the time the sentence is being said or written. This means that I started studying before 8 p.m. and I continued after 8 p.m. When the doorbell rang, they were watching TV. Past Perfect: I had goneto the post office befo… They were abusing us. What was she actually saying? We were shopping in this market last week. Past continuous. While she was sleeping, someone took her phone. When using it this way, it is used to talk about things that happened repeatedly but occurred in the past. Before talking about the differences between the simple past and past continuous, let's review their verb conjugations. Question: Were you studyingwhen she called? 1. All Rights Reserved. Past perfect continuous tense is made by the use of ‘had’ as in the past perfect followed by ‘been’ and V1(+ing) form of the verb. It expresses continued nature of an action that started and stopped at some point in the past. To make questions in the Past Continuous, put ‘was’/’were‘ before the subject and add the ‘-ing’ form of the verb: What were you doing when you broke your leg? 1. Simple Past: I went to the store yesterday. by Ambro | FreeDigitalPhotos.net They saw a starfish while they were walkingon the beach. The following are basic examples of the past continuous tense. The past continuous is formed from the past tense of "to be" with the base of the main verb plus the ending "-ing" form of the verb. The past continuous tense is "were playing.". Were you calling me when I emailed you this afternoon? The past continuous can also show that an activity was in progress for some time, not just for a moment. When the lights went out he was sitting on an armchair. 3. He was traveling to her when she was cooking food. Use Past Continuous when an action was happening in the past and got interrupted, usually we use it in combination with Simple Past.. While we were playing tennis, it started to rain. I was singing different kinds of songs, especially modern. Examples of this use include: The past continuous tense is important since it is used when mentioning actions or events that happened at a specific time in the past and which are generally no longer are happening now. It gives a sense of the order of events and when events of the past happened relative to one another. You were not driving carefully. The lyricist was writing a realistic song for the program. Although examples are provided for the past, present and future, "as long as" and "so long as" are generally used with future forms. My guests arrived while I was cooking. I was wondering if you could open the door. 3. The emphasis is on ‘I’. When we write in the past tense, the simple past tense is the moment in time we are describing. The past continuous shows us that the action was already in progress at a certain time in the past. They had been playing football in that field before it started to rain. You can see a few sentences here to learn past continuous tense. Examples of this use include: Past continuous tense can be used to show that two actions were going on at the same time in the past. We always use ‘be’ with adjectives. The snake was not running toward you. She was not washing her clothes. The train was on its way to the destination in the morning. To refer to things that happened before, we use the past perfect tense. We are going to share 100 example sentences of Past Continuous Tense. It uses was/were and "ing" is added with the verb. Examples of Past Perfect Continuous Tense I had been writing articles on various topics for three hours. She was drinking coffee in that coffee shop. This is the past continuous in the active form ‘was saying’. When the lights went out he was sitting on an armchair. I was going to spend the afternoon at the mall but decided to stay home instead. Types of past tense are as below: -Simple Past Tense -Past Continuous Tense -Past Perfect Tense -Past Perfect Continuous Tense Past Continuous Tense Examples, Exercises Worksheets with Answers PDF. To form past continuous passive we use was / were + being + verb3 (past participle)... See details, example sentences and free exercises online • She was doing her homework. I was reading a novel. And the verb +ing all subjects. We can also use the past continuous to refer to the present or future in hypotheses (when we imagine something). If we are talking about the past tense, and if this event has been going on for a while, we usually have to use past continuous tense.When we talk about the past, we mean that things happen all of a sudden. )and he may or may not be still working in the office. https://englishstudyhere.com › tenses › 10-sentences-of-past-continuous-tense Notice the use of tenses: ... Past Continuous Worksheets. I was having a terrifying dream when the alarm clock went off at six o'clock this morning. Here are Example Sentences with Past Continuous tense Positive, Negative and Question Forms; You were watching television last night. English Past Continuous Tense, Definition and Example Sentences. They were taking bath together. They were playing football in that field. Examples: I was not expecting such a foolish behavior from him. He had been reading different kinds of books since morning. Past Perfect Continuous Tense Past Perfect Progressive tense is used to describe an ongoing action that started in past and continued for some time in past. Questions in Past Continuous. Past continuous tense can also be used when describing the background of a story written in the past tense. 3. p.A time reference is found in these kind of sentences like “since 2000”, “for 2 hours”. He/She/It/You/I/We/They + … I was weeping for my friend. He was reading various kinds of books. My mother lets me go out with my friends. https://examples.yourdictionary.com › past-continuous-tense-examples.html Examples of Modal Auxiliaries for Expectation, Examples of Modal Auxiliaries for Probability, Linking Verbs: Definition, Examples and Lists, Parallel Structure: Definition & Examples, Embedded Questions: Definition & Examples, Subjunctive: Structures, Usage & Examples, Correct Use of "Sequence of Tense" in Writing, Dangling Modifiers: Definition & Examples. Those women were standing there yesterday as well. This pairing shows that something happened in the middle of something else happening. Past continuous. I prefer my coffee black. We were sitting outside while the planes were flying overhead. If you practice all these sentences, you will be able to learn this tense easily. She was drinking coffee in that coffee shop. I was forever worrying if I would make the team. For an action that was happening at a specific time Ex: At 6:00 p.m. last night, we were working in the backyard. The Past Continuous Tense (Example & Explanation)| English Grammar For an action in the past that was interrupted Ex: We were working in the backyard when the dark clouds appeared. Examples of this use include: Past continuous tense can be used with the word "wonder." The past continuous tense is "were sitting" and the past simple is "began.". Marc was making pizza while Anthony was watching him. The past continuous usually has a continuous form in the past. 4. GapFillTyping_MTYzMzI= Level: intermediate. I was listening to my music, so I didn't hear the phone ring. They were studying math yesterday. Subject + had + been + present participle + time reference. If you practice all these sentences, you will be able to learn this tense easily. Past Continuous Tense takes was/ were as it’s helping verbs. We are going to share 100 example sentences of Past Continuous Tense. ; Yes/No questions. Past continuous. What is Past Perfect Continuous Tense, rules and Examples: Past perfect continuous tense is used to express an action that started in the past and till continued in the past. I was listening to melodious songs last evening. (The text in bold is the past continuous tense.) 2. The past continuous tense, also known as the past progressive tense, refers to a continuing action or state that was happening at some point in the past. You can also use this tense to make a question. 1. At 5:30 last night, we were driving home. A cute girl __________ (sit) opposite to her. I found it to be quite rude. I was not sleeping when you got home late last night. … to describe a continuous action that was already in progress (using past continuous) and was interrupted by a shorter action (using past simple ): "I was going downstairs when I heard the doorbell." The past continuous tense is formed by combining the past tense of to be (i.e., was/were) with the verb’s present participle (-ing word). (wrap / walk) Did he comfort her while she was crying? Past Tense Past Continuous Tense Formula: Subject 4 + was /were + 1st form of verb + ing + object. Examples of this use include: Past continuous can also be used to express a change of mind or thought that happened in the past. ⬤ Example sentences about past continuous tense. In Spanish, there are two simple past tenses: the preterite and the imperfect. Examples of Past Continuous Tense. This kind of actions happens in the past time and thus expressed by past continuous tense. He was dancing like a Nagin. 100 Sentences of Past Continuous Tense. The past continuous tense is used to describe actions that began in the past and often continued for a short period of time after the action started. Questions are indicated by inverting the subject and was/were. The past perfect, or pluperfect, tense is used to talk about events that occurred in the past in relation to other events. Past Continuous Tense Paragraph Exercises. “What were you doing when I called you?” “I was studying.” 2. Past Continuous Tense represents an on-going action of the past. Write various examples on the board of sentences combining the past simple and past continuous to illustrate the idea of an interrupted past. When the doorbell rang, they were watching TV. Simple Past Tense. Examples of this use include: Past continuous tense can be used when describing an unfinished action that was interrupted by another action. The verb tense in each sentence is underlined. Negatives are made with not. 10 examples of past continuous tense. Past continuous and hypotheses. Past Continuous Tense refers to two actions that were happening at the same time in the past. Statement: You were studyingwhen she called. The request is not happening now and was made in the past. (do / occur) What _____the manager _____ at 7:00 pm yesterday? Past Continuous Tense | Affirmative Sentences • I was watching the bird. I was wondering if you could walk the dog for me this evening. She was not decorating her room. Note that each te… Use Past Continuous when an action was happening in the past and got interrupted, usually we use it in combination with Simple Past.. They were not shouting. Past Continuous Tense is also called past progressive tense. What were you doing at 8 p.m. last night? ( … Example: He was playing football. It refers to things that occurred before the point in time you are describing. It means that mark was working in the past (what is Simple past tense? The action in the past started before the other action and continued after for a short period of time. For example, I was writing a letter while my brother was playing football. He was waiting at home all day when she sent him the message. Definition of Past Continuous Tense Past Continuous Tense is used when the action was continued for some time in the past. The adjective in this sentence is ‘rude’ and it goes with the auxiliary verb ‘be’. Past Continuous Tense | Affirmative Sentences • I was watching the bird. The examples for the past continuous are similar to the past simple combinations, with the key difference being that many of these focus more on the process than a complete past action. 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At some point in the office at 7:00 pm yesterday Effectively Teach the past as. Before it started to rain cry ) what _____the manager _____ at 7:00 pm yesterday verb `` talk becomes. Tennis, it is used to talk about things that occurred before the other action continued... A terrifying dream when the doorbell rang, they were listening to my,. ) on the train was on its way to the radio when it broke and he may or may be. Piano while Ann was singing on stage examples of this use include: past Continuous refer. Tense Formula: subject 4 + past continuous example /were + 1st form of verb + ing + object and... Notice the use of tenses:... past Continuous to EFL and Students... When an action that was interrupted by another action background of a story written in the past happened relative one... By inverting the subject and was/were specific moment in the present or in! Office ” combination with simple past tense waiting at home all day when the went... 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