LANG CHEAT SHEET

Past Continuous

We use the Past Continuous (was/were + -ing) for an action in progress at a specific moment in the past: At 8pm I was having dinner.

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  • We use the Past Continuous (was/were + -ing) for an action in progress at a specific moment in the past: At 8pm I was having dinner.
  • It's often used with the Past Simple to show an action interrupted by another: I was walking home when it started to rain.
  • We also use it for two actions happening at the same time in the past: She was reading while he was cooking.
PRONOUN
+
-
I / He / She / It
I was watching TV at 9pm.
I wasn't watching TV at 9pm.
You / We / They
They were playing football at noon.
They weren't playing football at noon.
Interrupted action
I was walking home when it started to rain.
I wasn't paying attention when the phone rang.
PRONOUN
QUESTION
ANSWER
I / He / She / It
Was she watching TV at 9pm?
Yes, she was. / No, she wasn't.
You / We / They
Were you playing football at noon?
Yes, we were. / No, we weren't.
Interrupted action
What were you doing when the phone rang?
I was cooking dinner.

Complete the sentences with the Past Continuous form of the verb in brackets.

  1. I (watch) a film when you called.
  2. They (play) cards all evening.
  3. she sleeping at midnight? Yes, she was
  4. He (not / listen) when I explained the rules.
  5. We (have) dinner when the lights went out.
  6. you working at 10pm? No, I wasn't
  7. It (rain) heavily during the match.
  8. She (not / look) when the accident happened.