Scribd
Upload
31 views9 pages

Grammar Study: Past Continuous

The document discusses the past continuous tense in English grammar. It describes the past continuous tense as used to talk about an action that had already started and was still continuing at a particular past time, or an unfinished past action that was interrupted by another event. Examples are given of its use, including its use to describe two simultaneous past actions. Formations and uses of the affirmative, negative, and interrogative forms are provided.

Uploaded by

Daysi Chamorro Vásquez
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
Available Formats
Download as PPTX, PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd
31 views9 pages

Grammar Study: Past Continuous

The document discusses the past continuous tense in English grammar. It describes the past continuous tense as used to talk about an action that had already started and was still continuing at a particular past time, or an unfinished past action that was interrupted by another event. Examples are given of its use, including its use to describe two simultaneous past actions. Formations and uses of the affirmative, negative, and interrogative forms are provided.

Uploaded by

Daysi Chamorro Vásquez
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
Available Formats
Download as PPTX, PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd
You are on page 1/ 9

Grammar Study

PAST
CONTINUOUS

The Past continuous describes


an action or event in a time
before now, which began in
the past and was still going on
at the time of speaking.

Form:
Affirmative:
I was reading.
you were reading.
he was reading.
she was reading.
it was eating.
we were reading.
they were reading.

Negative:
I wasnt reading.
you werent reading.
he wasnt reading.
she wasnt reading.
it wasnt eating.
we werent reading.
they werent reading.

Interrogative:
Was I reading?
Were you reading?
Was he reading?
Was she reading?
Was it eating?
Were we reading?
Were they reading?

Use :

The Past Continuous is used to:


- Talk about an action that had
already started and was still
continuing at a particular time.

Example:
At 8.00 Oclock I was sleeping.

It is also used to:


-describe an unfinished action that was
interrupted by another event or action.

Example:
I was watching TV when she phoned.

It is also used to:


-describe two actions that were both
continuing at the same time in the past.
In this case we use past continuous for
both actions.

Example:
While I was reading. Mary was sleeping.

Notes:
-When you talk about things in the past, when is

most often followed by the simple past, whereas


while is usually followed by past continuous.

-While expresses the idea of during that


time.

ar meanings, but they emphasize differe


I was writing an e-mail when my computer went
off.
While I was writing an e-mail, my computer went
off.

You might also like