Past Continues Tense

Past Continuous Tense

Past Continuous Tense is used to mention an ongoing action of the past. It expresses past actions having an on-going nature. An action, that continued for some time in past, are expressed in Past Progressive Tense.

‘Past Continuous Tense’ is also called ‘Past Progressive Tense’.

Structure of Sentence:

→ Main Verb: Present Participle (1st form of verb + ing) e.g. sleeping, going.
→ Auxiliary verbs: “Was / Were”

Note: If the subject of the sentence is “I, She, He” or a singular noun, the auxiliary “was”  is used. If the subject of sentence is “You, they,” or a plural noun, the auxiliary “were” will be use.

⇒ Positive Sentences

→  Subject + Auxiliary verb + Main verb + Object
→ Subject + Were / Was + Present Participle (Verb + ing) + An object

Examples:

• He was waiting for you.
• She was writing a letter.
• He was driving his car.
• She was making preparation for the exam.
• The dog was barking at them.
• You were smiling to see me.
• I was planning about my studies.
• They were eating their food.

⇒ Negative Sentences

→ Subject + Auxiliary verb + NOT + Main Verb + Object
→ A subject + Were / was + NOT + Present Participle + Object

Examples:

• I was not expecting such a foolish behavior from him.
• He was not sleeping.
• She was not washing her clothes.
• They were not shouting.
• You were not driving carefully.
• The snake was not running toward you.
• She was not decorating her room.
• He was not reading the book.
• I was not walking alone.
• The kids were not playing with the toys.

⇒ Question Sentences

→ Auxiliary verb + Subject + Main verb+ Object
→ Were / was + Subject + Present Participle + Object

Examples:

• Were they going to their college?
• Was he coming to his home?
• Was she singing a song?
• Were you asking me something?
• Was I calling you?
• Were the people shouting at him?
• Was he listening to you?
• Was she walking in the street?
• Were you working in that factory?
• Was I answering the question correctly?