Past continuous tense tense us very crucial tense in English language; English speakers use this tense daily for their speech.
In this lesson we will clarify the most important points you need to understand past continuous tense such as the definition, structure or formula, uses, examples and at the end we will summit an exercise that you can test you understanding about the tense.
Past progressive tense or Past continuous tense is used for an action or event that took place in the past time:
We were practicing the exercise all the day.
Past continuous tense works with verb(ing) like Present continuous tense but their uses are different; present continuous tense is used for an action which is happening now or at the time of speaking but past continuous is used for action that was going on in the past time.
What is past continuous tense?
Past continuous tense definition:- is used to express an action or event that started in the past time.
past continuous tense is the used for an events that person was making or actions that were taking palce at the certain time.
Past continuous tense formula
The auxiliary verbs past continuous tense are the past of verb to be which are:-was and were. To use past continuous tense it is very important to know the pronouns which work with was and also the pronouns which go with were.
When the subject of the sentence is either (he, she, I, it) or the subject becomes singular noun use “was“:I was reading the book.
But when When the subject of the sentence is either (they, we, you) or the subject becomes a plural noun use “were“:They were watching the TV.
Past continuous tense examples
Here are 10 examples of sentences in the past continuous tense:
- She was reading a book when the phone rang.
- They were playing football in the park all afternoon.
- I was cooking dinner while he was watching TV.
- We were driving to the beach when it started to rain.
- He was studying for his exams last night.
- The kids were sleeping during the storm.
- She was talking on the phone when I entered the room.
- I was walking home when I saw the accident.
- They were dancing at the party until midnight.
- The dog was barking loudly throughout the night.
Past continuous tense for Affirmative
Past continuous tense for statement/Affirmative use the basic for formula of the tense which is:-
Subject+ was/were+ present participle + the rest of the sentence.
Example
She was watching the TV While my mother was cooking the food.
I was playing the game when Ahmed was on the bench.
They were reading the book when the teacher came.
The teachers were explaining the lesson when the student came.
Ali was speaking tohis darling on phone as she arrived.
Past continuous tense for negative
When the sentence is negative we will make a little only put “not” after was or were and the formula will be:-
Subject+ was/were+ not+ present participle + the rest of the sentence.
Example
She was not watching the TV While my mother was cooking the food.
I was not playing the game when Ahmed was on the bench.
They were not reading the book when the teacher came.
The teachers were not explaining the lesson when the student came.
Ali was not speaking to his darling on phone as she arrived.
Past continuous tense for question
Past continuous tense in question the auxiliary verbs( was& were) will before the subject and the subject will be:-
was/were+ Subject+ present participle + the rest of the sentence.
Example
Was she watching the TV While my mother was cooking the food?
Was I playing the game when Ahmed was on the bench?
Were they reading the book when the teacher came?
Were the teachers explaining the lesson when the student came?
Was Ali speaking to his darling on phone as she arrived?
Past continuous tense for question with Negative
When we use past continuous tense for negative with question the auxiliary verbs ( was &were) come before the subject and followed by “not” the formula will be:-
was/were+not+ Subject+ present participle + the rest of the sentence.
Example
Was not she watching the TV While my mother was cooking the food?
Was not I playing the game when Ahmed was on the bench?
Were not they reading the book when the teacher came?
Were not the teachers explaining the lesson when the student came?
Was not Ali speaking to his darling on phone as she arrived?
Uses of past continuous tense
Past continuous tense can be used:-
■ Past continuous tense is used to express some that was in progress before and after the event.
Example
Farah was reading the book when the milk man came.
Samira called me when I was praying the prayer.
■ past progressive tense describes an action that took place before and after special time.
Example
In January I was learning three subjects.
■ It also used to express some past habits
Example
At that time, she was sleeping.
At time, I was praying.
Fluently asked questions on past continuous tense
What is past continuous tense?
Past progressive tense or Past continuous tense is used for an action or event that took place in the past time:We were practicing the exercise all the day.
What is the difference between present continuous tense and past continuous tense?
Present continuous tense is used for an action which is happening now or at the time of speaking but past continuous is used for action that was going on in the past time.
I’m reading the lesson now.(Present Continuous Tense)
I was speaking to my mother when she came (past continuous tense)
What is the difference between simple past tense and past continuous tense?
Simple past tense is used for an action which happened in the past time or took place before the time of speaking
Example The cat killed the rat.
past progressive is used for action that was going on in the past time.
Example The baby was crying.
past continuous tense ercises with answers
Test your understanding and fill the blank spaces
1) The child _____ _____ (play) in the house.
2) He was ________ (try) to the questions on page ten.
3) The patient _____ _____ _____(asking) water for the people.
4) The cats ______ ______ (run) after the mice.
5) ______ the teachers signing the exam?
6) _____ _____ the student answering the questions?
7) The Principal _____ _____ beating the pupils.
8) ______ Hamda bitting the child when she was in home?
9) ________ the boys playing the game?
10) ______ ______ The girl ______ (watch) the flim?
11) They _______ reading the lessons.
12) The driver was ______( drive) the car.
13) At that time, he ____ _____(sleep)
14) We _____ ______ (participle) the race.
15) he ______ _____ (write) the story).
Answers
1) The child were playing in the house.
2) He was trying to the questions on page ten.
3) The patient was not asking water for the people.
4) The cats were running after the mice.
5) Were the teachers signing the exam?
6) Was not the student answering the questions?
7) The Principal was not beating the pupils.
8) Was Hamda bitting the child when she was in home?
9) Were the boys playing the game?
10) Was not the girl watching flim?
11) They were reading the lessons.
12) The driver was driving the car.
13) At that time, he is sleeping.
14) We were participating the race.
15) he was reading the story).
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