Past Continuous Tense
Past Continuous Tense is used to mention an ongoing action of the past. It expresses past actions having an on-going nature. An action, that continued for some time in past, are expressed in Past Progressive Tense.
‘Past Continuous Tense’ is also called ‘Past Progressive Tense’.
Structure of Sentence:
→ Main Verb: Present Participle (1st form of verb + ing) e.g. sleeping, going.
→ Auxiliary verbs: “Was / Were”
Note: If the subject of the sentence is “I, She, He” or a singular noun, the auxiliary “was” is used. If the subject of sentence is “You, they,” or a plural noun, the auxiliary “were” will be use.
⇒ Positive Sentences
→ Subject + Auxiliary verb + Main verb + Object
→ Subject + Were / Was + Present Participle (Verb + ing) + An object
Examples:
- He was waiting for you.
- She was writing a letter.
- He was driving his car.
- She was making preparation for the exam.
- The dog was barking at them.
- You were smiling to see me.
- I was planning about my studies.
- They were eating their food.
⇒ Negative Sentences
→ Subject + Auxiliary verb + NOT + Main Verb + Object
→ A subject + Were / was + NOT + Present Participle + Object
Examples:
- I was not expecting such a foolish behavior from him.
- He was not sleeping.
- She was not washing her clothes.
- They were not shouting.
- You were not driving carefully.
- The snake was not running toward you.
- She was not decorating her room.
- He was not reading the book.
- I was not walking alone.
- The kids were not playing with the toys.
⇒ Question Sentences
→ Auxiliary verb + Subject + Main verb+ Object
→ Were / was + Subject + Present Participle + Object
Examples:
- Were they going to their college?
- Was he coming to his home?
- Was she singing a song?
- Were you asking me something?
- Was I calling you?
- Were the people shouting at him?
- Was he listening to you?
- Was she walking in the street?
- Were you working in that factory?
- Was I answering the question correctly?