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    Past Continuous

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    Adina Badea
    This document provides information and examples about using the past continuous tense in English. It discusses several uses of the past continuous including: 1) interrupted actions in the past where a longer action was interrupted by something in the simple past, 2) using specific times as interruptions, 3) parallel actions happening simultaneously, 4) describing atmosphere through parallel actions, and 5) repetition or irritation using words like "always". It also notes that non-continuous verbs cannot be used in the past continuous and gives examples of active and passive voice constructions.

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    Past Continuous

    Uploaded by

    Adina Badea
    387 views3 pages
    This document provides information and examples about using the past continuous tense in English. It discusses several uses of the past continuous including: 1) interrupted actions in the past where a longer action was interrupted by something in the simple past, 2) using specific times as interruptions, 3) parallel actions happening simultaneously, 4) describing atmosphere through parallel actions, and 5) repetition or irritation using words like "always". It also notes that non-continuous verbs cannot be used in the past continuous and gives examples of active and passive voice constructions.

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    This document provides information and examples about using the past continuous tense in English. It discusses several uses of the past continuous including: 1) interrupted actions in the past where a longer action was interrupted by something in the simple past, 2) using specific times as interruptions, 3) parallel actions happening simultaneously, 4) describing atmosphere through parallel actions, and 5) repetition or irritation using words like "always". It also notes that non-continuous verbs cannot be used in the past continuous and gives examples of active and passive voice constructions.

    Copyright:

    © All Rights Reserved
    Download as DOC, PDF, TXT or read online from Scribd
    Download as doc, pdf, or txt
    387 views3 pages

    Past Continuous

    Uploaded by

    Adina Badea
    This document provides information and examples about using the past continuous tense in English. It discusses several uses of the past continuous including: 1) interrupted actions in the past where a longer action was interrupted by something in the simple past, 2) using specific times as interruptions, 3) parallel actions happening simultaneously, 4) describing atmosphere through parallel actions, and 5) repetition or irritation using words like "always". It also notes that non-continuous verbs cannot be used in the past continuous and gives examples of active and passive voice constructions.

    Copyright:

    © All Rights Reserved
    Download as DOC, PDF, TXT or read online from Scribd
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    of 3

    Past Continuous

    FORM Past Continuous


    [WAS / WERE] + [VERB+ing]
    EXAMPLES:
    I was studying when she called.
    I was carefully picking up the snake when it bit me.
    NOTE: When you are using a verb tense with more than one part such as Past Continuous
    (was picking), adverbs often come between the first part and the second part (was carefully
    picking).

    IMPORTANT
    Clauses are groups of words which have meaning but are not complete sentences. Some
    clauses begin with the word when such as "...when she called " or "...when it bit me." Clauses
    with the Past Continuous usually start with while. While expresses the idea "during the time."
    Study the examples below. They have the same meaning.
    EXAMPLES:
    I was studying when she called.
    While I was studying, she called.

    USE 1 Interrupted Action in the Past


    Use the Past Continuous to indicate that a longer action in the past was interrupted. The
    interruption is usually an action in the Simple Past. Remember this can be a real interruption or
    just an interruption in time.
    EXAMPLES:
    I was watching TV when she called.
    When the phone rang, she was writing a letter.
    While we were having a picnic, it started to rain.
    Sally was working when Joe had the car accident.
    While John was sleeping last night, someone stole his car.

    USE 2 Specific Time as an Interruption


    In USE 1, described above, the Past Continuous is interrupted by an action in the Simple Past.
    However, you can also use a specific time as an interruption.

    EXAMPLES:
    Last night at 6 p.m., I was eating dinner.
    At midnight, we were still driving through the desert.

    IMPORTANT
    In the Simple Past a specific time is used to show when an action began or finished. In the Past
    Continuous a specific time only interrupts the action.
    EXAMPLES:
    Last night at 6 p.m., I ate dinner.
    (I started eating at 6 p.m.)
    Last night at 6 p.m., I was eating dinner.
    (I started earlier and at 6 p.m. I was in the process of eating dinner.)

    USE 3 Parallel Actions


    When you use the Past Continuous with two actions in the same sentence, it expresses the idea
    that both actions were happening at the same time. The actions are parallel.
    EXAMPLES:
    I was studying while he was making dinner.
    While Ellen was reading, Tim was watching television.
    They were eating dinner, discussing their plans and having a good time.

    USE 4 Atmosphere
    In English we often use a series of Parallel Actions to describe atmosphere in the past.
    EXAMPLE:
    When I walked into the office, several people were busily typing, some were talking on the
    phones, the boss was yelling directions, and customers were waiting to be helped. One
    customer was yelling at a secretary and waving his hands. Others were complaining to each
    other about the bad service.

    USE 5 Repetition and Irritation with "Always"


    The Past Continuous with words such as always or constantly expresses the idea that
    something irritating or shocking often happened in the past. The concept is very similar to the
    expression used to but with negative emotion. Remember to put the words always or constantly

    between "be" and "verb+ing."


    EXAMPLES:
    She was always coming to class late.
    He was constantly talking. He annoyed everyone.
    I didn't like them because they were always complaining.

    IMPORTANT Non-Continuous Verbs/ Mixed Verbs


    It is important to remember that Non-Continuous Verbs cannot be used in any "continuous"
    tenses. Also, certain "non-continuous" meanings for Mixed Verbs cannot be used in
    "continuous" tenses. To express the idea of Past Continuous with these verbs, you must use
    Simple Past.
    EXAMPLES:
    Jane was being at my house when you arrived. Not Correct
    Jane was at my house when you arrived. Correct
    ACTIVE / PASSIVE Past Continuous
    EXAMPLES:
    The salesman was helping the customer when the thief came into the store. ACTIVE
    The customer was being helped by the salesman when the thief came into the store. PASSIVE

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