Past Continuous Tense: Rules, Examples & Usage | English Grammar
Last Updated: 01 Jul, 2025
Welcome! In this lesson, you'll learn all about the Past Continuous Tense in English grammar. We'll cover the formation, usage, and provide plenty of examples. You'll discover how to describe ongoing actions in the past and create vivid narratives.
What is Past Continuous Tense?
Past Continuous Tense Definition: Past continuous tense describes actions that were in progress at a specific time in the past. It uses was/were + verb-ing to show ongoing activities that were happening at a particular moment or during a period in the past.
Why is Past Continuous Important? It's essential for creating vivid descriptions, showing interrupted actions, describing parallel activities, and providing background information in stories.
Past Continuous Tense Structure
| Sentence Type | Structure | Example |
|---|---|---|
| Positive | Subject + was/were + verb-ing | I was reading / They were playing |
| Negative | Subject + was/were + not + verb-ing | I wasn't reading / They weren't playing |
| Question | Was/Were + Subject + verb-ing? | Was I reading? / Were they playing? |
Use "was" with I/he/she/it and "were" with you/we/they, followed by the -ing form.
When to Use Past Continuous Tense
1. Actions in Progress at a Specific Past Time
- I was studying at 8 PM yesterday.
- She was cooking dinner at 6 o'clock.
- They were watching TV at that time.
- We were playing football in the evening.
2. Interrupted Actions
- I was reading when the phone rang.
- She was cooking when her friend arrived.
- They were sleeping when the alarm went off.
- We were discussing the project when the boss came in.
3. Parallel Actions in the Past
- While I was studying, my brother was watching TV.
- She was cooking while he was cleaning the house.
- They were playing music while we were dancing.
- The children were playing while the adults were talking.
4. Background Actions in Stories
- The sun was shining and birds were singing.
- People were walking in the park and children were playing.
- The wind was blowing and leaves were falling.
- Cars were passing by and music was playing loudly.
Adding -ing to Verbs
| Rule | Base Verb | -ing Form |
|---|---|---|
| Most verbs: add -ing | work, play, read | working, playing, reading |
| Ends in -e: drop e, add -ing | make, take, write | making, taking, writing |
| One syllable, consonant-vowel-consonant: double final consonant | run, stop, sit | running, stopping, sitting |
| Ends in -ie: change ie to y, add -ing | lie, die | lying, dying |
📌 Past Continuous Challenge!
Complete the sentences with the correct form:
- I _____ (read) a book at 9 PM last night.
- They _____ (not/watch) TV when I arrived.
- What _____ you _____ (do) at 3 PM yesterday?
- She _____ (cook) while he _____ (clean) the house.
Show Answers
- I was reading a book at 9 PM last night.
- They weren't watching TV when I arrived.
- What were you doing at 3 PM yesterday?
- She was cooking while he was cleaning the house.
Common Time Expressions
Specific Times
- at 3 PM yesterday
- at that time, at that moment
- all morning/afternoon/evening
Connectors
- when, while
- during, throughout
- from 2 to 5 PM
Common Mistakes to Avoid
- Wrong auxiliary: ❌ "I were reading" ✅ "I was reading"
- Missing -ing: ❌ "She was cook" ✅ "She was cooking"
- Using with stative verbs: ❌ "I was knowing him" ✅ "I knew him"
- Wrong question formation: ❌ "What you were doing?" ✅ "What were you doing?"
- Mixing tenses: ❌ "I was reading when phone rings" ✅ "I was reading when the phone rang"
Practice Exercises
Exercise 1: Choose the correct form
- At 8 PM, I (was studying/studied) for my exam.
- She (was cooking/cooked) when her friend (was calling/called).
- (Were you sleeping/Did you sleep) when I knocked?
- They (were playing/played) football while we (were watching/watched).
- The sun (was shining/shone) and birds (were singing/sang).
Show Answers
- was studying
- was cooking, called
- Were you sleeping
- were playing, were watching
- was shining, were singing
Frequently Asked Questions
What is past continuous tense?
Past continuous tense describes actions that were in progress at a specific time in the past. It uses was/were + verb-ing to show ongoing activities that were happening at a particular moment.
How do you form past continuous tense?
Use was + verb-ing with I/he/she/it, and were + verb-ing with you/we/they. Examples: I was reading, They were playing.
What are some examples of past continuous tense?
Examples include: I was studying at 8 PM yesterday, They were watching TV when I called, She was cooking dinner while he was reading, We were playing football in the park.
When do we use past continuous tense?
Use past continuous for: actions in progress at a specific past time, interrupted actions, parallel actions in the past, and describing background actions in stories.
What's the difference between past continuous and simple past?
Past continuous shows ongoing actions (I was reading at 3 PM), while simple past shows completed actions (I read the book yesterday).
How do you make negative sentences in past continuous?
Add "not" after was/were: I was not (wasn't) working, They were not (weren't) sleeping.
How do you ask questions in past continuous?
Put was/were before the subject: Was I working? Were they sleeping? What were you doing?
What time expressions are used with past continuous?
Common expressions: at 3 PM yesterday, while, when, during, all morning/afternoon/evening, from 2 to 5 PM, at that time.
Conclusion
Past Continuous Tense is essential for describing ongoing actions in the past and creating vivid narratives. Master the was/were + verb-ing pattern to show interrupted actions, parallel activities, and background scenes in your stories!