Mastering the Past Continuous Tense: Easy Rules, Examples & Dialogues
The Past Continuous Tense (also called Past Progressive Tense) is used to describe actions that were happening at a specific moment in the past. It paints a picture of an action in progress during a past time—not something happening now.
Let’s explore how and when to use the Past Continuous, along with plenty of examples, tips, and sample conversations to help you sound fluent and confident in English.
What is the Past Continuous Tense?
We use the Past Continuous Tense to describe:
An action in progress at a specific time in the past.
Two actions happening at the same time in the past.
A background action interrupted by a shorter action (usually in the past simple).
Example Sentences:
I was driving home at eight o’clock last night.
On April 1st, I was staying with some friends in my native town.
While I was writing the email, the computer suddenly went off.
Structure of the Past Continuous Tense
Subject + was/were + verb + ing
Important Note on State Verbs
We do not use the Past Continuous with state verbs such as:
like
love
hate
know
believe
own
These verbs describe states, not actions, and are usually used in the past simple instead.
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Past Continuous Tense: Sentence Types
Affirmative Sentences
I was walking around the street.
He was taking an exam last month.
They were climbing a hill.
Negative Sentences
I wasn’t listening to the music.
She wasn’t messaging me.
They were not laughing at the joker.
Yes/No (Closed) Questions
Was he working? – Yes, he was. / No, he wasn’t.
Were they climbing the hill? – Yes, they were. / No, they weren’t.
Wh- (Open) Questions
What were you doing in the classroom?
Where was he walking?
Why were they laughing?
Past Continuous vs Past Simple
Sometimes, we use Past Continuous for the longer action and Past Simple for the shorter action that interrupts it.
Examples:
I was watching TV when she called.
While we were having a picnic, it started to rain.
I was reading a book when the plane took off.
Azhar: I called you at six, but you didn’t attend my call.
Ramya: Oh, is it? I was driving home.
Azhar: Did you have a good time at home last Sunday?
Ramya: Not really. I was cooking meals all day.
Azhar: I sent you a mail. Did you read it?
Ramya: I’m sorry, I was talking to a friend. I’ll check it now.
Dialogue for better understanding:
Aanya: I rang your doorbell about five yesterday evening, but you were not in. I did not know where you were.
Arjun: Oh, I was helping Karan. We were repairing his television. We were working on it the whole evening.
Aanya: It was raining, and I had missed my umbrella, thought to get it from you. Fortunately, I didn’t get wet as there was a shop nearby for shelter.
Arjun: Why were you waiting there? You could have called me.
Aanya: Yes, I did few times, and the phone was ringing for some time, you didn’t pick.
Arjun: Sorry, I missed it somehow.
Positive Sentences – Past Continuous Tense
Use these examples to describe actions that were happening at a particular time in the past:
She was crying yesterday.
They were climbing on a hill.
They were laughing at the joker.
He was taking an exam last month.
You were waiting for him yesterday.
Negative Sentences – Past Continuous Tense
To express that something was not happening at a certain point in the past, use the negative form:
She was not crying yesterday.
They were not climbing on a hill.
They were not laughing at the joker.
He was not taking an exam last month.
You were not waiting for him yesterday.
Yes/No Questions (Closed Questions)
Ask simple questions that expect a “Yes” or “No” answer using the auxiliary verb was/were at the beginning:
Was she crying yesterday?
Were they climbing on a hill?
Were they laughing at the joker?
Was he taking an exam last month?
Were you waiting for him yesterday?
‘Wh’ Questions (Open Questions)
Use question words (What, Where, When, Whom, etc.) to ask for specific information about actions in progress:
When was she crying?
Where were they climbing?
Whom were they laughing at?
When was he taking the exam?
Where were you waiting for him?
Complex Sentences – Past Continuous with Past Simple
These examples combine Past Continuous and Past Simple to show one action happening when another occurred:
I was watching TV when she called.
When the phone rang, she was writing a letter.
While we were having the picnic, it started to rain.
What were you doing when the earthquake started?
I was listening to my iPod, so I didn’t hear the fire alarm.
You were not listening to me when I told you to turn the oven off.
While John was sleeping last night, someone stole his car.
Sammy was waiting for us when we got off the plane.
While I was writing the email, the computer suddenly went off.
A: What were you doing when you broke your leg?
B: I was snowboarding.I was living in Poland.
At 11 o’clock, he was waiting by the fountain.
When they arrived, I was cooking dinner.
I was reading my book when the plane took off.
When I was driving to work, my car broke down.
Tips to Remember
Use “was” for singular subjects (I, he, she, it).
Use “were” for plural subjects (you, we, they).
Use Past Continuous to show an action was in progress at a specific time.
Combine with Past Simple to show an interruption or parallel actions.
Final Thoughts
The Past Continuous Tense helps us describe the flow of actions in the past—what someone was doing at a certain time, what was going on when something else happened, or how things were unfolding over time.
Practice using this tense in your speaking and writing. Combine it with Past Simple for more natural, fluent storytelling.
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