Past Continuous

Past Continuous

Usage

The past continuous tense is used to describe actions that began in the past and often continued for a short period of time after the action started. This tense describes actions or events that happened at a specific time in the past. These actions are usually no longer happening at the time the sentence is being said or written.

Past continuous tense is often combined with past simple tense.

•  While we were sitting at the stadium, the rain began.

• This pairing shows that something happened in the middle of something else happening.

Describing the background of a story

• The sun was shining brightly when...

• Last month as I was sitting outside...

• The other day I was waiting at the airport when...

Describing an unfinished action that was interrupted by another action.

• I was having a great conversation with him when his friend interrupted it.

• While we were playing tennis, it started to rain.

• I was making dinner when he arrived at my house this evening.

Change of mind or thought that happened in the past.

• He was going to pack a ham sandwich for lunch but he decided to make a peanut butter and jelly instead.

• Dan was going to accept the job offer in New York but changed his mind later.

• I was going to spend the afternoon at the mall but decided to stay home instead.

To show that two actions were going on at the same time in the past. 

• Marc was making pizza while Anthony was watching him.

• She was playing the piano while Ann was singing on stage.

• We were sitting outside while the planes were flying overhead.

  
  

  
  

Past continuous tense can be used with the word "wonder." When using it this way, it is used as a request. The request is not happening now and was made in the past.

• I was wondering if you could walk the dog for me this evening.

• She was wondering if you could babysit after school today.

• We were wondering if she was able to meet us at noon.

Past continuous can be used with the words always, constantly and forever. When using it this way, it is used to talk about things that happened repeatedly but occurred in the past

• Our neighbor was always telling us funny stories about his daughter.

• Grandma was constantly singing songs when she made us breakfast.

• My husband was always talking about friends from school.