Past Continuous

Past Continuous for actions in progress at a past time, often interrupted by the Past Simple

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1. 1
   Multiple choice

   At eight o'clock I dinner.

   cookcookedwas cookingWe use the Past Continuous for an action in progress at a specific past time.
2. 2
   Multiple choice

   While she TV, the phone rang.

   watchedwas watchingwatchesThe Past Continuous describes the longer action interrupted by another.
3. 3
   Multiple choice

   They football when it started to rain.

   were playingplayedplay'Were playing' shows the action in progress when it started to rain.
4. 4
   Multiple choice

   What you doing at ten o'clock last night?

   didwerewasPast Continuous questions use 'were' with 'you'.
5. 5
   Fill the gap

   I (read) a book when my friend called.

   Answer: was readingThe Past Continuous shows the action in progress: was reading.
6. 6
   Fill the gap

   We (not / sleep) at midnight; we were watching a film.

   Answer: weren't sleepingAlso accepted: were not sleepingThe negative Past Continuous uses 'weren't' + -ing.
7. 7
   Fill the gap

   It (rain) all day yesterday.

   Answer: was rainingThe Past Continuous describes a long action over a period of time.
8. 8
   Fill the gap

   While my parents (cook), I was laying the table.

   Answer: were cooking'Were cooking' is the Past Continuous for they/we/plural subjects.
9. 9
   Fill the gap

   She (not / listen) to me when I told her the news.

   Answer: wasn't listeningAlso accepted: was not listeningThe negative Past Continuous with she is 'wasn't' + -ing.
10. 10
    True / false

    This sentence is correct: 'I were watching TV at nine o'clock.'

    Answer: FalseWith 'I' we use 'was', not 'were': I was watching TV.
11. 11
    True / false

    This sentence is correct: 'They were playing chess when I arrived.'

    Answer: True'Were playing' correctly shows the action in progress.
12. 12
    Discussion question

    What were you doing at this time yesterday?

    Sample answer: I was having dinner with my family. We were talking about our plans for the weekend.