Here on this page, we represent the past continuous tense, how it is formed, and when to use it.
The Past continuous tense refers to the things or actions which was happening in the past.
How to form sentences in the Past Continuous Tense?
Formation of sentences in the Past Continuous Tense.
1st person and 3rd person singular
Subject + was + stem verb + ing
Example: I was dancing.
He was dancing.
She was dancing.
It was dancing.
1st person and 3rd person plural, 2nd person singular and plural
Subject + were + stem verb + ing
Example: We were dancing.
You were dancing.
They were dancing.
We use the past continuous tense in some circumstances.
The Past Continuous Tense used for:
- Talk about actions in progress around a particular time in the past.
Example: I was reading a book.
- Talk about the background actions in an event in the past.
Example: He was listening to music when I got home.
- Talk about the background weather in the past action.
Example: It was raining when Linda reached home.
Now let’s see the full form and contractions in the Past Continuous Tense.
The full form and contracted form of the Past Continuous Tense
Let’s learn how to make affirmative sentences in the Past Continuous Tense.
The affirmative sentence in the Past Continuous Tense
Now we learn to make negative sentences in the Past Continuous Tense.
The negative sentence in the Past Continuous Tense
Here, we look at how to compose positive and negative interrogative sentences in the Past Continuous Tense.
The interrogative sentence in the Past Continuous Tense
Positive Questions in the Past Continuous Tense
Positive ‘Wh’ Questions in the Past Continuous Tense
Negative Questions in the Past Continuous Tense
(OR)
Negative ‘Wh’ Questions in the Past Continuous Tense
Here are an essay and a conversation using Past Continuous Tense to make you more precise about Past Continuous Tense.
Short essay
A terrible day
I woke up late yesterday. My sister was chasing my kitten when I woke. She broke my glass. I got upset. My sister was crying I comforted her and said not to repeat it again. I planned to go to a job interview. It was raining when I go out. I drove my car to the town. While I was going I saw an old man fell down. I went to help him. I took him to the hospital. I saw the time, it was so late for my interview. I was rushing to the office. The receptionist was calling my name when I stepped in. Interviewers asked questions but I couldn’t answer. Because of the anxiety, I was not able to attend the interview in a good manner. I was feeling bad about that day.
Conversation
Jack: Hey Linda. What were you doing yesterday?
Linda: I went to a party.
Jack: Oh nice. Whose Party?
Linda: It was my sister’s party.
Jack: What were you wearing at the party?
Linda: I was wearing a pink outfit with a matching handbag.
Jack: Did you meet any new members?
Linda: Yes. I met a new girl when I was dancing. She is a sweet girl.
Jack: Was it raining yesterday?
Linda: Yes. It was raining when we got home.
Jack: What was Jane doing when you got home?
Linda: She was sleeping on the bed when we got home.
Jack: Shall we visit Amritha tomorrow?
Linda: Yeah! Sure. We’ll go tomorrow.
Jack: Catch you later Linda.
Linda: OK Jack.