Scribd Logo
Upload

Welcome to Scribd!

  • 20 views

    Past Continuous Tense

    Uploaded by

    ThilxnX 89
    The document describes the past continuous tense and how it is used to indicate actions that were ongoing or happening at the same time in the past. It provides examples of using the past continuous to express interrupted actions, parallel actions occurring simultaneously, a series of actions describing an atmosphere or situation, and actions that were frequent or ongoing with words like "always" or "constantly".

    Copyright:

    © All Rights Reserved
    Download as DOCX, PDF, TXT or read online from Scribd

    Past Continuous Tense

    Uploaded by

    ThilxnX 89
    20 views3 pages
    The document describes the past continuous tense and how it is used to indicate actions that were ongoing or happening at the same time in the past. It provides examples of using the past continuous to express interrupted actions, parallel actions occurring simultaneously, a series of actions describing an atmosphere or situation, and actions that were frequent or ongoing with words like "always" or "constantly".

    Original Description:

    Copyright

    © © All Rights Reserved

    Available Formats

    DOCX, PDF, TXT or read online from Scribd

    Did you find this document useful?

    Is this content inappropriate?

    The document describes the past continuous tense and how it is used to indicate actions that were ongoing or happening at the same time in the past. It provides examples of using the past continuous to express interrupted actions, parallel actions occurring simultaneously, a series of actions describing an atmosphere or situation, and actions that were frequent or ongoing with words like "always" or "constantly".

    Copyright:

    © All Rights Reserved
    Download as DOCX, PDF, TXT or read online from Scribd
    Download as docx, pdf, or txt
    20 views3 pages

    Past Continuous Tense

    Uploaded by

    ThilxnX 89
    The document describes the past continuous tense and how it is used to indicate actions that were ongoing or happening at the same time in the past. It provides examples of using the past continuous to express interrupted actions, parallel actions occurring simultaneously, a series of actions describing an atmosphere or situation, and actions that were frequent or ongoing with words like "always" or "constantly".

    Copyright:

    © All Rights Reserved
    Download as DOCX, PDF, TXT or read online from Scribd
    Download as docx, pdf, or txt
    of 3

    Past Continuous Tense

    1. Use the past continuous to indicate that a longer action in the


    past was interrupted.

     I was watching TV when she called.

     When the phone rang, she was writing a letter.

     While we were having the picnic, it started to rain.

     What were you doing when the earthquake started?

     I was listening to my iPod, so I didn't hear the fire alarm.

     You were not listening to me when I told you to turn the oven off.

     While John was sleeping last night, someone stole his car.

     Sammy was waiting for us when we got off the plane.

     While I was writing the email, the computer suddenly went off.

     A: What were you doing when you broke your leg?

    B: I was snowboarding.

    You can also use a specific time as an interruption.

     Last night at 6 PM, I was eating dinner.

     At midnight, we were still driving through the desert.

     Yesterday at this time, I was sitting at my desk at work.

    2. When you use the past continuous with two actions in the same
    sentence, it expresses the idea that both actions were happening
    at the same time. The actions are parallel.

     I was studying while he was making dinner.

    S.A.S.Nishshanka Athukorala 071 - 8120299


     While Ellen was reading, Tim was watching television.
     Were you listening while he was talking?
     I wasn't paying attention while I was writing the letter, so I made
    several mistakes.
     What were you doing while you were waiting?
     Thomas wasn't working, and I wasn't working either.
     They were eating dinner, discussing their plans, and having a
    good time.

    3. In English, we often use a series of parallel actions to describe the

    atmosphere at a particular time in the past.

     When I walked into the office, several people were busily typing,


    some were talking on the phones, the boss was yelling directions,
    and customers were waiting to be helped. One customer was
    yelling at a secretary and waving his hands. Others were
    complaining to each other about the bad service.

    4. The past continuous with words such as "always" or "constantly"

    expresses the idea that something irritating or shocking often

    happened in the past. The concept is very similar to the

    expression used to but with negative emotion. Remember to put the

    words "always" or "constantly" between "be" and "verb+ing."

     She was always coming to class late.


     He was constantly talking. He annoyed everyone.
     I didn't like them because they were always complaining.

    Active Voice - The salesman was helping the customer when the thief
    came into the store.

    S.A.S.Nishshanka Athukorala 071 - 8120299


    Passive Voice - The customer was being helped by the salesman when
    the thief came into the store.

    S.A.S.Nishshanka Athukorala 071 - 8120299

    You might also like