PAST CONTINUOUS PAST CONTINUOUS (SIMPLE)(SIMPLE)

SUBJECT + TO BE (PAST) + GERUND OF MAIN VERB

YOU/WE/THEY + WERE + ….ING

I / HE / SHE / IT + WAS + …ING

We were studying when she called.

WereWere the soldiers the soldiers sleeping when the bomb exploded?

I was not was not listening to the radio when mum arrived.

WE USE IT:

TO DESCRIBE A “LONG” ACTION OR “PROCESS “ IN A MOMENT BEFORE NOW (IN THE PAST).

•WE CAN SAY IT WAS HAPPENING IN A MOMENT IN THE PAST.Yesterday at 6 o’clock I was watching TV.THE ACTION (PROCESS)STARTED BEFORE 6 o’clock BUT IT WAS NOT FINISHED. The film started at 5 o’clock and finished at 6.30.I was in the middle of the process of watching the film.

•WE CAN SAY THAT THE ACTION WAS INTERRUPTED BY ANOTHER SHORT ACTION.I was having a bath when the phone rang. orWhile I was having a bath, the phone rang. orWhen the phone rang, I was having a bath. orThe phone rang while I was having a bath.

•IT COULD STOP THE PROCESS . I had to leave my bath to answer the phone.

•(OR NOT). Mum answered the phone. I went on with my bath.

WHILEWHILE + + PAST CONTINUOUSPAST CONTINUOUS

WHENWHEN + + PAST SIMPLEPAST SIMPLE