Past Continous

by anis
(Gabes)

When do we use the past continuous? Please & thank you!

Jul 23, 2011

Answer
by: Ola Zur

Hi Anis,

We use the past continuous for actions that were in progress at a certain time in the past.

For example:

"Yesterday, at 8 PM I was washing the dishes."

This sentence basically means that at that specific time in the past the action of washing the dishes was in progress.

Here's another example:

"I was watching a movie when Jane called."

This means that when Jane called I was in the middle of watching a movie.

Or in other words, the action of watching the movie was in progress.

One final example:

"We were shopping all morning."

This means that the action of shopping continued all morning. Let's say from 9 AM to 11 AM, or something similar :)

For more illustrated examples visit the past progressive page.

Ola Zuris the author of the English Short Stories Book & Workbook and English Short Stories for Complete Beginners.

Past Continous

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Past Continous

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Past Continous