The Past Continuous Tense

THE PAST CONTINUOUS TENSE
Group Members :
2018.01.0016 Muhammad Alfian Nevyanto
2018.01.0017 Bima Febrinda Arifin
2018.01.0018 Fuad Bawazier
2018.01.0019 Muhammad Evan Alhamda

A. The Past Continuous Tense
The past continuous describes actions or events in a time before now, which began in the past
and is still going on at the time of speaking. In other words, it expresses an unfinished or
incomplete action in the past.
B. Forming the Past continuous Tense
The past continuous of any verb is composed of two parts : the past tense of the verb "to be"
(was/were), and the base of the main verb +ing.
Sentence
The formula Example Past Continuous Tense
type
The team was running
S + be(was/were) + V1-
positve (+)
ing/present participle
The workers were queuing
The team was not running

S + be(was/were) + not + V1-
negative (-)
ing/present participle
The workers weren’t queuing
Was the team running

interogative be(was/were) + S + V1-
(?) ing/present participle?
Were the workers queuing
C. Past Continuous Uses
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 a shorter 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 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.
USE 2 Specific Time as an Interruption
In USE 1, described above, the past continuous is interrupted by a shorter action in the simple
past. However, you can also use a specific time as an interruption.
Examples:
 Last night at 6 PM, I was eating dinner.

 At midnight, we were still driving through the desert.
 Yesterday at this time, I was sitting at my desk at work.
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 PM, I ate dinner.

I started eating at 6 PM.
 Last night at 6 PM, I was eating dinner.
I started earlier; and at 6 PM, 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.
 Were you listening while he was talking?
 I wasn't paying attention while I was writing the letter, so I made several mistakes.
 What were you doing while you were waiting?
 Thomas wasn't working, and I wasn't working either.
 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 the atmosphere at a particular
time 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
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.

The Past Continuous Tense

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THE PAST CONTINUOUS TENSE

2018.01.0016 Muhammad Alfian Nevyanto

2018.01.0017 Bima Febrinda Arifin

2018.01.0018 Fuad Bawazier

2018.01.0019 Muhammad Evan Alhamda

B. Forming the Past continuous Tense

The team was not running

Was the team running

C. Past Continuous Uses

USE 1 Interrupted Action in the Past

 I was watching TV when she called.

USE 2 Specific Time as an Interruption

 Last night at 6 PM, I was eating dinner.

 Last night at 6 PM, I ate dinner.

USE 3 Parallel Actions

USE 5 Repetition and Irritation with "Always"

 She was always coming to class late.

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