Grammar

Past Continuous

Use the past continuous for an action in progress at a moment in the past, often interrupted by a shorter past simple action, or for two parallel ongoing actions.

Post

Level B1 Tenses

Summary

Use the past continuous for an action in progress at a moment in the past, often interrupted by a shorter past simple action, or for two parallel ongoing actions.

Structure

subject + was/were + verb-ing

Examples

I was watching TV when the phone rang.
While she was cooking, he was setting the table.
At 8 p.m. last night, we were driving home.
They weren't listening to the teacher.

Common mistakes

• Use past simple for the interrupting action: NOT 'when the phone was ringing' (for a single interruption) → 'when the phone rang.'
• Don't use continuous with state verbs: NOT 'I was knowing' → 'I knew.'

Related

Past Simple Present Continuous

More tenses

Present Simple A1

Use the present simple for facts, habits, routines, and things that are generally true. Add -s/-es to the verb with he, she, and it.

Present Continuous A1

Use the present continuous for actions happening now, around the present time, or for temporary situations. It is also used for fixed future arrangements.

Use the past simple for completed actions at a definite time in the past. Regular verbs add -ed; many common verbs are irregular.

Future with 'Going To' A2

Use 'going to' for plans and intentions decided before now, and for predictions based on present evidence.

Future with 'Will' A2

Use 'will' for predictions, instant decisions made at the moment of speaking, promises, and offers.

Present Perfect B1

Use the present perfect to connect a past action to the present — for life experiences, recent changes, and unfinished time periods. The exact time is not stated.

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