Past Continuous Tense

The Past Continuous Tense describes actions that were ongoing in the past, focusing on specific moments, interruptions, or simultaneous events. This guide explains its forms, usages, and time indicators in detail.

1. Forms of the Past Continuous Tense

💡 The Past Continuous Tense with has three main forms: affirmative, negative, and interrogative.

A. Affirmative Form

💡 Structure:
Subject + was/were + base verb + -ing

  • Examples:

    🚶 I was walking to the store.

  • 🎮 You were playing video games.
  • 👩‍🏫 He was studying for his exams.
  • 📞 She was talking on the phone.
  • 🌧️ It was raining heavily.
  • ✈️ We were traveling to Japan.
  • 🎶 You were listening to music.
  • 📚 They were reading in the library.

B. Negative Form

💡 Structure:
Subject + was/were + not + base verb + -ing

  • Examples:

    🚶 I was not walking to the store.

  • 🎮 You weren’t playing video games.
  • 👩‍🏫 He was not studying for his exams.
  • 📞 She wasn’t talking on the phone.
  • 🌧️ It was not raining heavily.
  • ✈️ We weren’t traveling to Japan.
  • 🎶 You weren’t listening to music.
  • 📚 They were not reading in the library.

C. Interrogative Form

💡 Structure:
Was/Were + subject + base verb + -ing?

  • Examples:

    🚶 Was I walking to the store?

  • 🎮 Were you playing video games?
  • 👩‍🏫 Was he studying for his exams?
  • 📞 Was she talking on the phone?
  • 🌧️ Was it raining heavily?
  • ✈️ Were we traveling to Japan?
  • 🎶 Were you listening to music?
  • 📚 Were they reading in the library?

2. Usages of the Past Continuous Tense

A. Actions in Progress at a Specific Time

The tense is used to describe what someone was doing at a particular moment in the past.

  • Examples:

    🖋️ At 8 p.m., I was writing my report.

  • 🕹️ At noon, he was playing video games.
  • 📞 At that time, she was talking on the phone.
  • 🏃 They were jogging in the park at 6 a.m.
  • 🚶‍♂️ He was walking home at lunch time.
  • 👩‍🍳 I was cooking dinner at 9 p.m..
  • 🛏️ They were sleeping at midnight.
  • 📚 She was studying for her exam in the afternoon.
  • 🎶 We were listening to the radio at 9 p.m.
  • 🌄 He was watching the sunrise early in the morning.

B. Interrupted Actions in the Past

The tense is used to describe an ongoing action that was interrupted by another past action.

  • Examples:

    🚶 I was walking when it started to rain.

  • 📖 She was reading when her phone rang.
  • 🍽️ We were eating dinner when the lights went out.
  • 🎮 He was playing a game when his friends arrived.
  • 🎨 I was painting when the doorbell rang.
  • 🛋️ They were relaxing when the storm began.
  • 🎥 We were watching a movie when the power went off.
  • 📞 She was talking on the phone when her battery died.
  • ✍️ I was writing a letter when the dog started barking.
  • 🚶‍♂️ He was walking his dog when he saw a friend.

C. Simultaneous Actions

The tense is used to describe two or more actions happening at the same time in the past.

  • Examples:

    🍳 I was cooking while he was setting the table.

  • 🎬 She was watching TV while they were playing cards.
  • 🎶 We were listening to music while they were dancing.
  • 📞 While she was writing notes, he was talking on the phone. 
  • 🎓 I was studying while my roommate was reading.
  • 🖋️ She was writing an essay while he was practicing guitar.
  • 🖼️ They were painting while we were drawing.
  • 🍔 We were having lunch while they were making dinner.
  • 📚 He was reading while she was knitting.
  • 🛋️ While we were working, they were relaxing 

3. Time Indicators for the Past Continuous Tense

A. Using “At [specific time]”

Indicates an action in progress at a specific time in the past.

  • Examples:

    🖊️ At 8 p.m., I was writing my report.

  • 📺 At 7 p.m., we were watching a show.
  • 🌧️ At noon, it was raining heavily.
  • 🍽️ At 6 p.m., they were having dinner.
  • 🚶‍♂️ At 5 p.m., he was walking home.
  • 📚 At 10 a.m., she was studying in the library.
  • 🎶 At midnight, they were singing together.
  • 💼 At 9 a.m., I was preparing for the meeting.
  • 🏃‍♂️ At 6 a.m., we were jogging in the park.
  • 📞 At 3 p.m., he was talking on the phone.

B. Using “While”

Shows two actions happening simultaneously in the past.

  • Examples:

    🍳 I was cooking while he was setting the table.

  • 🎬 She was watching TV while they were playing cards.
  • 🎶 We were listening to music while they were dancing.
  • 📞 He was talking on the phone while she was writing notes.
  • 🎓 I was studying while my roommate was reading.
  • 🖋️ She was writing an essay while he was practicing guitar.
  • 🎨 They were painting while we were drawing.
  • 🍔 We were having lunch while they were making dinner.
  • 📚 He was reading while she was knitting.
  • 🛋️ They were relaxing while we were working.