The past continuous tense (also known as the past progressive tense) is used to describe actions that were happening at a specific moment in the past. These actions were in progress but had not yet been completed. Think of it as capturing a snapshot of an activity mid-stream.

For example:

• I was reading a book at 7 PM last night.
• She was cooking dinner while he was watching TV.

Unlike the simple past tense, which describes completed actions (I read a book), the past continuous emphasizes the duration or process of the action.

How to Form the Past Continuous Tense

Forming the past continuous tense is straightforward once you understand its structure. It consists of two parts:

1. The subject (e.g., I, you, she, they).
2. The verb phrase: “was/were” + present participle (-ing form).

Here’s the breakdown:

• Use “was” with singular subjects (I, he, she, it).
• Use “were” with plural subjects (you, we, they).

Examples:

• Singular: He was walking home.
• Plural: They were playing soccer.

Remember, the present participle always ends in -ing, so verbs like “walk” become “walking,” and “read” becomes “reading.”

When to Use the Past Continuous Tense

Now that you know how to form it, let’s look at common situations where the past continuous tense shines.

1. Describing Ongoing Actions in the Past

This is the primary use of the past continuous—to show actions that were in progress at a particular time.

• At 6 o’clock yesterday, I was taking a shower.
• We were driving to the beach when it started raining.

2. Setting the Scene for Another Action

The past continuous often works alongside the simple past to create context for what else was happening.

• I was studying when my phone rang.
  (Simple past: “rang” interrupts the ongoing action: “studying.”)
• She was writing an email when her boss walked in.

3. Parallel Actions

You can use the past continuous to describe multiple actions happening simultaneously.

• While I was cleaning the kitchen, my brother was washing the car.
• They were laughing and talking loudly during the movie.

4. Expressing Interruptions

This tense is perfect for highlighting interruptions in a sequence of events.

• I was sleeping peacefully when the alarm went off.
• She was jogging through the park when she tripped over a rock.

5. Creating Atmosphere in Storytelling

Writers love the past continuous because it helps build vivid imagery and suspense.

• The wind was howling, and the trees were swaying violently as the storm approached.
• As they were walking down the dark alley, strange noises echoed around them.

Common Mistakes to Avoid

Even native speakers sometimes stumble when using the past continuous. Here are a few pitfalls to watch out for:

1. Confusing It with the Simple Past

• Incorrect: I was eating breakfast at 8 AM. vs. I ate breakfast at 8 AM.
  Both may seem correct, but the first implies the action was still ongoing at 8 AM, while the second suggests it was completed by then.

1. Using Non-Action Verbs
   Some verbs, like “know,” “believe,” or “like,” don’t work well in continuous forms because they represent states rather than actions.

• Incorrect: I was knowing the answer.
  Correct: I knew the answer.

1. Missing Context
   Without additional information or another action, the past continuous might feel incomplete.

• Vague: He was running.
  Clearer: He was running along the riverbank when he saw a deer.

Practice Makes Perfect: Exercise 1

Happy practicing!