1) Use
❖ We use the past continuous:
- To describe an action happening at a time in the past.
Example:
Last night at 6 o’clock, we were eating dinner.
- To describe something you did until an event interrupted you.
Example:
I was watching TV when my friend called.
- For two actions happening at the same time in the past.
Example:
While Jack was watching TV, his son was reading a book.
- To describe a scene in the past, especially when you are telling a story.
Example:
Diana was living in Istanbul that summer. Robert was working at the same school as her…
2) How to form the past continuous
We form the past continuous with was / were + the '-ing' form of the verb.
Was / Were + '-ing' form of the verb
Example:
She was playing tennis at ten o’clock.
| '-ing' forms of some verbs | ||
|---|---|---|
| Infinitive | '-ing' form of the verb | |
| To work | Working | |
| To read | Reading | |
| To watch | Watching | |
| To make | Making | |
3) How to form a negative sentence in the past continuous
We add 'not' after was / were to form a negative sentence in the past continuous .
Was / Were + not + '-ing' form of the verb
Examples:
(+) She was playing tennis at ten o’clock.
(-) She was not playing tennis at ten o’clock.
(+) They were living at home.
(-) They were not living at home.
4) How to form a question in the past continuous
We move was / were to the beginning of the sentence to form a question in the past continuous.
Was / Were + Subject + '-ing' form of the verb
Examples:
(+) She was playing tennis at ten o’clock.
(?) Was she playing tennis at ten o’clock?
Yes, she was / No, she was not.
(+) They were living at home.
(?) Were they living at home?
Yes, they were / No, they were not.