Past Continuous Tense

Complete the sentence: At 8 PM last night, I _______ a movie with my family.

• was watching

• watched

• watch

• were watching

Answer explanation

The past continuous tense is formed with 'was/were' + the -ing form of the verb. Since the subject is 'I', the correct form is 'was watching' to describe an action in progress at a specific time in the past.

Which word correctly completes the sentence: The dogs ______ loudly in the backyard all afternoon.

• was barking

• were barking

• is barking

• are barking

Answer explanation

The subject 'dogs' is plural, so it requires the plural past tense form of 'to be,' which is 'were'. The other options are incorrect because 'was' is singular and 'is/are' are present tense.

Complete the sentence: We _______ attention in class, so the teacher got upset.

• wasn't paying

• weren't paying

• didn't paying

• not were paying

Answer explanation

To make the past continuous negative, use 'wasn't' or 'weren't'. Since the subject 'We' is plural, the correct negative form is 'weren't paying'.

Choose the best sentence to describe two actions happening at the same time in the past.

• While my mom was cooking dinner, my dad set the table.

• My mom cooked dinner when my dad was setting the table.

• While my mom was cooking dinner, my dad was setting the table.

• My mom cooked dinner, and then my dad was setting the table.

Answer explanation

To show two continuous actions happening simultaneously, the past continuous tense should be used for both actions. The word 'while' is often used to connect them.

Which question is grammatically correct for asking about an ongoing activity in the past?

• What you were doing at the park?

• What were you doing at the park?

• What you did at the park?

• What were you do at the park?

Answer explanation

The correct structure for a 'Wh-' question in the past continuous is: Wh- word + was/were + subject + verb-ing. This option is the only one that follows this structure.

Identify the correct way to form a yes/no question in the past continuous.

• You were listening to the music?

• Did you were listening to the music?

• Were you listening to the music?

• You was listening to the music?

Answer explanation

To form a yes/no question in the past continuous, you invert the subject and the verb 'was/were'. The correct structure is 'Were' + 'you' + 'listening'.

Complete the sentence to show an interrupted action: I _______ a shower when the fire alarm went off.

• took

• was taking

• am taking

• were taking

Answer explanation

The past continuous ('was taking') is used for a longer, ongoing action that was interrupted by a shorter, completed action in the simple past ('went off').

Which sentence best shows that the speaker was annoyed by a repeated past action?

• My little sister was always borrowing my clothes without asking.

• My little sister borrowed my clothes without asking.

• My little sister was borrowing my clothes without asking.

• My little sister always was borrowing my clothes without asking.

Answer explanation

Using an adverb like 'always' or 'constantly' with the past continuous tense, placed between 'was/were' and the verb, is a common way to express irritation about a past habit.

Read the sentence: 'She were trying to fix the computer, but it wasn't work.' Which revision corrects the errors?

• She was trying to fix the computer, but it wasn't working.

• She were trying to fix the computer, but it wasn't working.

• She was trying to fix the computer, but it didn't working.

• She was trying to fix the computer, but it wasn't work.

Answer explanation

This corrects two errors: the subject-verb agreement ('She' is singular, so it needs 'was') and the verb form in the negative past continuous ('wasn't' must be followed by an -ing verb).

Imagine you're writing a story. Which sentence best uses the past continuous tense to set the scene?

• The wind howled and the rain beat against the window.

• The wind was howling and the rain was beating against the window.

• The wind howled and the rain was beating against the window.

• The wind was howling and the rain beat against the window.

Answer explanation

To set a scene by describing ongoing background conditions, using the past continuous for all actions ('was howling,' 'was beating') is most effective. It creates a vivid picture of simultaneous, continuous events.