Past Continuous Tense
Learn how to describe ongoing actions in the past
What Is Past Continuous Tense?
The past continuous tense is used to describe actions that were ongoing or in progress at a specific time in the past. It is formed using "was/were" + the present participle (-ing form) of the verb. This tense helps us show that something was happening over a period of time in the past.
How to Form Past Continuous
Formula
Subject + was/were + verb-ing
I was reading a book.
Negative Form
I was not reading a book.
Question Form
Was I reading a book?
Short Answer
Yes, I was. / No, I wasn't.
When to Use
Ongoing Actions
Actions in progress at a specific time
Interrupted Actions
Actions interrupted by another event
Background Actions
Actions happening in the background
Two Simultaneous Actions
Two actions happening at the same time
Past Continuous Examples
I was reading a book when the phone rang.
She was cooking dinner while he was watching TV.
They were playing soccer in the park yesterday.
The sun was shining when we left the house.
Interactive Quiz 1: Form Past Continuous
Convert these verbs to past continuous:
I (read) a book yesterday.
Show Answer
Answer: I was reading a book yesterday.
She (cook) dinner at 6 PM.
Show Answer
Answer: She was cooking dinner at 6 PM.
They (play) soccer last weekend.
Show Answer
Answer: They were playing soccer last weekend.
Interactive Quiz 2: Interrupted Actions
Complete these interrupted action sentences:
I _____ (study) when the phone _____ (ring).
Show Answer
Answer: was studying, rang
She _____ (cook) when the doorbell _____ (ring).
Show Answer
Answer: was cooking, rang
They _____ (watch) TV when the power _____ (go) out.
Show Answer
Answer: were watching, went
Interactive Quiz 3: Simultaneous Actions
Complete these simultaneous action sentences:
I _____ (read) while she _____ (cook).
Show Answer
Answer: was reading, was cooking
He _____ (drive) while she _____ (sleep).
Show Answer
Answer: was driving, was sleeping
The children _____ (play) while the parents _____ (talk).
Show Answer
Answer: were playing, were talking
Interactive Quiz 4: Past Continuous vs Simple Past
Choose the correct tense for each sentence:
I _____ (read) a book yesterday. (ongoing action)
Show Answer
Answer: was reading (past continuous)
I _____ (finish) the book last night. (completed action)
Show Answer
Answer: finished (simple past)
She _____ (cook) dinner when I arrived. (interrupted action)
Show Answer
Answer: was cooking (past continuous)
Tips for Using Past Continuous
Use for Ongoing Actions
Use past continuous for actions that were in progress at a specific time.
Combine with Simple Past
Use past continuous for the longer action and simple past for the interrupting action.
Practice Regularly
Use past continuous in conversations and writing to become more comfortable with it.
Quick Reference
Pro Tip
Past continuous helps create vivid descriptions of past events - practice it to make your stories more engaging!