Past continuous tense Oxford University Press We use

Past continuous tense © Oxford University Press

We use the past continuous tense to talk about events that were in progress at a particular time in the past. © Oxford University Press

I started talking to my friend. I was talking to my friend. I stopped talking to my friend. Past Continuous Tense © Oxford University Press

How do we form statements in the past continuous tense? © Oxford University Press

Positive statements Subject -ing form was/were of the verb I/He/She/It was playing. You/We/They were playing. © Oxford University Press

Example: Mary was dancing at five o’clock. © Oxford University Press

Negative statements Subject was not/ -ing form of were not the verb I/He/She/It was not/ wasn’t playing. You/We/They were not/ weren’t playing. © Oxford University Press

Example: The boys were not studying just now. © Oxford University Press

How do we form statements in the past continuous tense with while and when? © Oxford University Press

We use while to talk about two actions going on at the same time. © Oxford University Press

Example: While Dad washing the dishes, I was watching TV. They happened at the same time © Oxford University Press

We can use the past continuous tense in both clauses. © Oxford University Press

Example: Past continuous tense While his parents were using their phones, he was doing his homework. Past continuous tense © Oxford University Press

We can use when while to talk about a longer action that was going on when something else happened. © Oxford University Press

Example: While they were arguing, the door bell rang. © Oxford University Press

incomplete longer action Past continuous tense completed shorter action Simple past tense © Oxford University Press

Example: Past continuous tense While they were arguing, the door bell rang. Simple past tense LONGER SHORTER © Oxford University Press

How do we ask and answer Yes/No questions in the past continuous tense? © Oxford University Press

Yes/No questions Was/Were Subject Was I/he/she/it -ing form of the verb playing? Were you/we/they © Oxford University Press

Yes/No questions Yes, Subject was (not)/ were (not) I/he/she/it was. you/we/they were. I/he/she/it No, you/we/they was not/ wasn’t. were not/ weren’t. © Oxford University Press

Example: Were the dogs sleeping yesterday morning? Yes, they were. © Oxford University Press

Example: Were they sleeping in their beds? No, they weren’t. © Oxford University Press

How do we ask and answer Wh-questions in the past continuous tense? © Oxford University Press

Wh-questions Whword was/ were Subject was I/he/she/it What were you/we/ they -ing form of the verb doing? © Oxford University Press

Example: Where was Peter eating? He was eating at Happy Burger. © Oxford University Press

Review: When do we use the past continuous tense? © Oxford University Press

events in progress at a particular time in the past © Oxford University Press

Statements in the past continuous tense © Oxford University Press

Positive statements was/were + -ing form of verb was ha ving y a l p e r e w was st udying Negative statements was not/were not + -ing form of verb weren’ t watc hing k o o l t ’ n s wa weren’t laughing © Oxford University Press

How do we talk about things that are happening at the same time? © Oxford University Press

while past continuous tense in both clauses © Oxford University Press

How do we talk about a longer action that was going on when something else happened? © Oxford University Press

when while incomplete longer action Past continuous tense completed shorter action Simple past tense © Oxford University Press

Questions in the past continuous tense © Oxford University Press

Yes/No questions Was/Were. . . Were you lis tening? ? h c n u l g n i ak m y r a M s Wa Wh-questions [Question words]. . . u o y e r e w e Wher dinner? g havin What was To m doin at six g yester day? © Oxford University Press

The end Images provided by Dreamstime. com and Emoji. One © Oxford University Press