The past continuous is used to talk about actions or situations that were happening in the past.
It is formed using the past tense of the verb "to be" (was/were) and the present participle (-ing form) of the main verb.
1. To describe ongoing actions in the past
I was studying English grammar yesterday.
Estaba estudiando gramática inglesa ayer.
2. To talk about simultaneous actions in the past
While he was cooking dinner, she was watching TV.
Mientras él cocinaba la cena, ella estaba viendo la televisión.
3. To set the scene or describe background actions
The sun was shining and birds were singing.
El sol brillaba y los pájaros cantaban.
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1. Positive sentences
Subject + was/were + verb + -ing
She was reading a book.
Ella estaba leyendo un libro.
2. Negative sentences
Subject + was/were + not + verb + -ing
They were not playing football.
Ellos no estaban jugando al fútbol.
3. Open-ended questions
Was/Were + subject + verb + -ing
Were they studying for the test?
¿Estaban ellos estudiando para el examen?
4. Closed-ended questions
Was/Were + subject + verb + -ing?
Was she running in the park?
¿Estaba ella corriendo en el parque?
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The past continuous is not used in all situations, such as when talking, single completed actions or permanent states. Then, we would use the simple past tense.
1. Positive sentence
They were exploring the beautiful countryside of England.
Estaban explorando el hermoso campo de Inglaterra.
2. Negative sentence
He was not visiting Stonehenge during his trip.
No estaba visitando Stonehenge durante su viaje.
3. Open-ended question:
Were you attending the music festival in England?
¿Estabas asistiendo al festival de música en Inglaterra?
4. Closed-ended question
Was London Bridge falling down in the past?
¿Se estaba cayendo el Puente de Londres en el pasado?
Remember that the Past Continuous is used to describe ongoing actions in the past and can be used with other past tenses for you to be able to communicate better in English.
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Questions
Write your answers in the comments box.
1. While I ___________ dinner, my friend called me.
a) was cooking
b) cooked
c) cook
d) cooking
2. What ___________ when the thunderstorm started?
a) you were doing
b) you did
c) did you do
d) were you do
3. We ___________ the famous museum when it suddenly closed.
a) were visiting
b) visited
c) visit
d) visiting
4. The football players ___________ their victory after a tough match.
a) were celebrating
b) celebrated
c) celebrate
d) celebrating
5. She ___________ a new recipe when she realised she was out of ingredients.
a) was trying
b) tried
c) try
d) trying
6. ________ you ___________ a movie when I called you?
a) Were / watching
b) Did / watch
c) Are / watching
d) Have / watched
7. They ___________ the historic castle while on their vacation.
a) were exploring
b) explored
c) explore
d) exploring
8. ___________ they ___________ at the stadium when the home team scored the winning goal?
a) Were / cheering
b) Did / cheer
c) Are / cheering
d) Have / cheered
9. The children ___________ happily in the playground.
a) were playing
b) played
c) play
d) playing
10. He ___________ his bicycle when he fell and hurt his knee.
a) was riding
b) rode
c) ride
d) riding
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