The past continuous describes ongoing events or actions in the past.
Structure:
| subject + | auxiliary “be” + | main verb |
| was, were | present participle ( -ing ) |
Functions of the Past Continuous:
To describe the background of a story before telling more about what happened.
| It was getting dark. I was walking down the street. Some people were gathering at a distance. Out of nowhere…” |
To talk about an unfinished action that was stopped by another action or event.
| I was having a nice dream when the phone rang. |
| They were watching TV when suddenly the power went out. |
To talk about actions or events that were happening at a certain time.
| At 8 o’clock yesterday morning, I was walking to school. |
| At 9 o’clock last night, I was studying. |
Difference in meaning:
When my mother left home, I prepared my breakfast. – I started preparing my breakfast after she left.
When my mother left home, I was preparing breakfast. – I started preparing my breakfast before she left home.
Tips:
1. Always remember the form be + ing.
| incorrect | correct |
| I was read a book. | I was reading a booking. |
| She was dance Flamenco. | She was dancing Flamenco. |
2. Spell correctly.
If a verb ends in e, remove the e then add -ing.
live = She was living in Madrid.
If a verb ends in one vowel and one consonant, double the final consonant then add -ing.
sit = He was sitting down.
Exception: For verbs ending in w and y, do not double the consonant.
draw = He was drawing.
pray = They were praying.