Use the following rule to form the past continuous tense.
Subject + (was , were) + verb+ ing ………….. |
The past continuous tense is used to indicate:
An action which was occurring in the past and was interrupted by another action. In this cash, the general rule is:
When + subject1+ simple past tense + subject 2+ past continuous tense……. |
Or
Subject1+ past continuous + when+ subject2 + simple past tense…….. |
- When mark came home, Martha was watching television.
Or
- Martha was watching television when mark camehome.
Two actions occurring at the same time in the past. In this case, the following rules usually apply.
Subject1+ past continuous + while+ subject2 + past continuous………… |
Or
While +subject1 + past continuous+ + subject2 + past continuous………. |
- Martha was watching television while john was reading book.
Or
- While John was reading a book, Martha was watching television.
Note: The following construction is also possible, but it is not as common as the preceding two.
While+ subject1 + past continuous + subject2 + simple past………… |
While Martha was watching television, John reada book.
An action which was occurring at some specific time in the past.
- Martha was watching television at seven o’clock last night.
- What wereyou doing at one o’clock this afternoon?
Examples of past continuous:
- John was walking to class when he lost his pen.
- The student was reading while the professor was speaking.
- George was watching television when his brother called.
- Henry was eating a snack at midnight last night
- When Mary came home, her husband was cooking dinner.
- Mark was driving on main street when his car brokedown.
0 comments: