PAST CONTINUOUS TENSES

Basic formSubject + WAS/WERE + Verb (continuous form)

Quick examples

• The man was singing.
• I was resting in the garden when it started to rain.

We usually use the Past Continuous to talk about activities that lasted for some time in the past. The actions can be interruped by something or can be happening at the same time.

USES

1. Duration in the past
2. Interrupted actions in progress
3. Actions in progress at the same time in the past
4. Irritation
5. Polite question

USE 1: Duration in the past

We use the Past Continuous to talk about actions or situations that lasted for some time in the past, and whose duration time is unknown or unimportant.

• I was watching TV yesterday in the evening.
• She was sleeping on the couch.
• The dog was barking.

USE 2: Interrupted actions in progress

The Past Continuous is often used when one action in progress is interruped by another action in the past. The Past simple is used in such sentences. We usually use when or while to link these two sentences.1. I was singing when my wife came home.2. When I was singing my wife came home.

• I was talking with James when the telephone rang.
• While Angelica was playing tennis, the plane crashed.
• When Bob was painting windows, it started raining.

Explanation

In this cartoon, you can see a man who says: "When I was jogging someone stopped me and asked what time it was.". 

• Why is the Past Continuous used this example? Click on the button labled "event 1". You can see that the man is jogging. This is a continuous action. Suddenly, another man stops him and asks what time it is. This is "event 2". Notice that the action of jogging is interrupted by event 2. This is why the use of Past Continuous is correct here.

USE 3: Actions in progress at the same time

We also use this tense to talk about two or more activities happening at the same. We usually use when or while to link the two sentences.

1. I was singing when / while She was cooking.2. When / while I was singing she was cooking.

• I was watching TV and Barbara was reading a book.
• The family was eating the dinner and talking.
• When Bob was painting windows, Mary was working in the kitchen.

USE 4: Polite questions

If we want to ask a polite question, we can use the Past Continuous.

• I was wondering if you could open the window.
• I was thinking you might help me with this problem.

Even though the sentences have a Past Continuous form, they refer to the present moment. Their meaning is similar to the "could you" sentences, but they are more polite.

USE 5: Irritation

Remember that you can also express irritation over somebody or something in the past.

• She was always coming late for dinner!