Lesson 4 of 6

Past Continuous

You will be able to describe actions that were in progress at a specific time in the past.

Part 1: Overview and Explanation

Definition and Core Meaning

The Past Continuous is formed with was or were plus the verb-ing. It shows an action that started before a particular moment in the past and was still happening at that moment. We use it to set the scene or describe background activity in the past.

When to Use It

Action interrupted by another action
Sarah was writing an email when the manager called her into the meeting.
Two actions happening at the same time in the past
While Oliver was preparing the budget, Emma was organising the client files.
Setting the scene or background in the past
The team was working on the project when the system crashed.
Explaining what someone was doing at a specific past time
At 2 pm yesterday, James was meeting with the supplier in Manchester.
Describing a situation or state that existed in the past
The office was preparing for the deadline all week.

Signal Words and Keywords

whilewhenat 3 pmyesterday at noonduringall morningasat that momentthe whole day

Part 2: Conjugation and Practice

Conjugation Box

Positive

Subject + was / were + verb-ing

Priya was sending the invoice when the client rang.

Negative

Subject + was / were + not + verb-ing

Daniel was not checking his emails during the presentation.

Short form: Daniel wasn't checking his emails during the presentation.

Question

Was / Were + subject + verb-ing?

Was Tom waiting for the delivery at 9 am?

Negative Question

Was / Were + subject + not + verb-ing?

Wasn't Aisha reviewing the report when you called?

Common mistake. Do not confuse Past Continuous with Past Simple. Use was doing for an ongoing action in the past, but use did for a completed action. For example: I was working at 3 pm means the action was in progress at that time, but I worked at 3 pm means I completed the action at 3 pm.

20 Practice Sentences

0 correct of 0 answered

Choose the correct form for each gap. Your answer is marked at once, with the reason.

1.Sarah ___ (talk) to a client on the phone when her manager came in.

positive

2.At 2 p.m. yesterday, Sarah ___ (prepare) the client proposal in her office.

positive

3.While James ___ (attend) the meeting in Leeds, Oliver was organising the files.

positive

4.At noon yesterday, Emma ___ (type) the invoice in the office.

positive

5.The client ___ (wait) in reception when Priya went downstairs.

positive

6.Tom ___ (take) notes when the fire alarm rang.

positive

7.Aisha ___ (check) the emails when the system went down this morning.

positive

8.Sarah was not ___ (check) her emails when the client called at 2pm yesterday.

negative

9.The supplier was not ___ (deliver) the order during the morning because of the traffic in Manchester.

negative

10.Daniel was not ___ (work) at his desk when the manager came to find him.

negative

11.At 10 am this morning, Oliver wasn't ___ (answer) his telephone.

negative

12.The managers were not ___ (discuss) the budget when I arrived at the meeting room at 3pm.

negative

13.___ (you / send) the invoice to the client when I telephoned yesterday?

question

14.___ (Sarah / check) the email at 2 pm when the server crashed?

question

15.___ (you / attend) the budget meeting when the fire alarm went off?

question

16.___ (James / wait) for the supplier when Priya arrived in Manchester?

question

17.___ (Emma / organise) the client files during the meeting yesterday afternoon?

question

18.Wasn't Tom ___ (attend) the conference in Birmingham last week when the problem occurred?

negative question

19.Wasn't Aisha ___ (prepare) the report when you called the office this morning?

negative question

20.Weren't the suppliers ___ (deliver) the goods when the manager telephoned them yesterday?

negative question

Past Simple Future: Will and Going To