What Is the Past Continuous?
The past continuous is for something that was happening at a moment in the past. It started before that moment and was not finished.
NOWPresent continuous
It is happening now.
My sister is sleeping.
A MOMENT IN THE PASTPast continuous
It was going on at eleven last night.
My sister was sleeping at eleven last night.
For a moment in the past: was / were + -ing. You always need both parts.
TRY IT
- Question 1
"At seven yesterday morning, we blank breakfast."
The forms
POSITIVE
Swas / wereV-ing
They were waiting for the bus.
I, he, she, it → was · you, we, they → were.
NEGATIVE
Swas / werenotV-ing
She wasn't listening to the teacher.
wasn't, weren't. No did.
QUESTION
Was / WereSV-ing?
Were you sleeping at midnight?
Yes, I was. / No, I wasn't.
Spelling of -ing: the same as the present continuous.
TRY IT
- Question 1
"Sorry, I blank. Can you say that again?"
- Question 2
"blank your parents working last Saturday?"
When to use it
A moment in the past
At 6 p.m. yesterday, Minh was cooking dinner.
Not finished at that time.
Often used with: at 6 p.m. yesterday · at that moment · at this time last week
A whole stretch of time
We were cleaning the house all morning.
It went on the whole time.
Often used with: all morning · all day · the whole evening
Setting the scene
The sun was shining and people were walking along the river.
The start of a story.
Asking what someone was doing
What were you doing at this time yesterday?
A common, friendly question.
Past Continuous or Past Simple?
Past simple: finished. Past continuous: still going on at a moment.
| PAST CONTINUOUS | PAST SIMPLE | |
|---|---|---|
| Example | At 8 p.m., Hoa was writing an email. | Hoa wrote three emails last night. |
| Often with | a clock time: at 8 p.m., at that moment | how many times: twice, three times |
Time words are only a hint. Ask: was it still going on, or was it finished? Numbers like three emails or twice usually mean finished actions.
TRY IT
- Question 1
"We blank my grandparents three times last year."
She knew his number (not was knowing).
Common mistakes
Incorrect:I doing my homework at eight last night.
Correct:I was doing my homework at eight last night.
Don't leave out was.
Incorrect:The students was waiting outside the classroom.
Correct:The students were waiting outside the classroom.
The students = they. Use were.
Incorrect:I was go to the market yesterday morning.
Correct:I went to the market yesterday morning.
A finished action: use the past simple.
Incorrect:She was knowing his phone number.
Correct:She knew his phone number.
Know has no -ing here. Use knew.
Incorrect:Did they working late on Friday?
Correct:Were they working late on Friday?
Was or were goes first. No did.
Quick check · 5 questions
Choose the right form:
My brother was taking a shower at seven o'clock yesterday morning.
- A. was taking — Correct
- B. taking
- C. was take
Answer: A. was taking
B: no was. C: no -ing.
Choose the right form:
Lan and Mai were studying for the exam all weekend.
- A. were studying — Correct
- B. was studying
Answer: A. were studying
The -ing never changes.
Choose the word that completes the question:
I saw Huy and Nam with big bags. Where were they going?
- A. were — Correct
- B. did
- C. was
Answer: A. were
No did with -ing.
Choose the right form:
I wanted a new phone at that time.
- A. wanted — Correct
- B. was wanting
- C. was want
Answer: A. wanted
Want, know, like, need: usually no -ing.
Your dad started fixing the car at 2 p.m. and finished at 4 p.m. Which sentence fits?
At 3 p.m. yesterday, my dad was fixing the car.
- A. At 3 p.m. yesterday, my dad was fixing the car. — Correct
- B. At 3 p.m. yesterday, my dad fixed the car.
- C. At 3 p.m. yesterday, my dad is fixing the car.
Answer: A. At 3 p.m. yesterday, my dad was fixing the car.
B means it was finished. C is the present.
See whether it really stuck.
Start the quiz · 12 questions
