Brilio.net - Past continuous tense is often used to tell events that are ongoing in the past. This tense helps provide details about the specific time of the event, especially when there are other events that occur simultaneously. If you want to tell what was being done at a certain time in the past, the past continuous tense will be very useful .
This tense is formed using was or were followed by the -ing form of the verb. For example, I was studying means "I was studying" at a certain time in the past. By studying and understanding past continuous tense sentences, you can enrich your vocabulary and speaking skills in English.
By knowing the examples of past continuous tense sentences, you can use them as a reference for learning. Each example is accompanied by a brief explanation so that it is easier for you to understand its use in everyday life. Come on, see the review that brilio.net has collected from various sources on Tuesday (1/10).
Definition and formula for past continuous tense.
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Past continuous tense is used to explain that an action was ongoing at a certain time in the past. The formula is simple, namely:
Subject + was/were + Verb-ing + object or time adverb.
For example, "She was cooking when I arrived." This means that when someone arrived, she was cooking. The subject here is she, then using was because the subject is singular, and followed by the verb cook which changes to cooking.
For plural subjects like we, you, and they, you use were instead of was. For example, We were watching a movie at 8 PM. This means that at 8 PM, we were watching a movie.
Function of past continuous tense.
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The past continuous tense is used in several different situations. Among them:
1. Describes an activity that was ongoing in the past. For example: "I was sleeping when the phone rang." When the phone rang, I was sleeping.
2. Describes two activities that took place simultaneously in the past. Example: "While she was studying, I was cooking dinner." While she was studying, I was cooking dinner.
3. Shows an activity that occurs before and continues until another event occurs. Example: "He was walking to the store when it started to rain." When he was walking to the store, it started to rain.
Examples of past continuous tense sentences.
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1. I was reading a book when you called me.
2. They were playing football when it started to rain.
3. She was cooking dinner when the doorbell rang.
4. We were watching a movie at 9 PM last night.
5. He was driving to work when he saw the accident.
6. My parents were sleeping when I came home.
7. The kids were playing outside while I was cleaning the house.
8. I was writing an email when my computer crashed.
9. You were talking to John when I saw you.
10. She was studying all night for her exam.
11. They were eating lunch when we arrived.
12. He was fixing his car while his wife was gardening.
13. I was singing in the shower when you knocked on the door.
14. The teacher was explaining the lesson when the fire alarm went off.
15. They were waiting for the bus when it started snowing.
16. We were dancing when the music suddenly stopped.
17. He was painting the house when it began to rain.
18. I was listening to music while I was working on my project.
19. The baby was crying when I entered the room.
20. She was working late at the office last night.
21. They were playing chess when I visited them.
22. I was having lunch when my phone rang.
23. The students were discussing the topic when the teacher walked in.
24. We were walking in the park when we saw a rainbow.
25. He was exercising at the gym when I called him.
26. She was drawing a picture while her brother was playing with toys.
27. I was baking a cake when the oven suddenly stopped working.
28. They were arguing about something trivial when I saw them.
29. He was fixing his bike when it started to rain.
30. We were decorating the Christmas tree when our friends arrived.
31. She was sewing a dress when her mother called her.
32. They were preparing for the party when I reached their house.
33. I was swimming in the pool when it started to rain.
34. The children were playing hide and seek when their parents came home.
35. She was teaching a class when the principal entered the room.
36. He was reading a newspaper when his friend visited him.
37. We were waiting for the train when the announcement was made.
38. They were celebrating their victory when we arrived at the stadium.
39. I was cleaning the garage when I found my old skateboard.
40. She was washing the dishes when her phone rang.
41. He was mowing the lawn when it began to rain.
42. The cat was sleeping on the sofa when I got home.
43. They were walking their dog when I saw them in the park.
44. I was packing my suitcase when I realized I forgot my passport.
45. She was knitting a scarf when I called her.
46. We were preparing dinner when the power went out.
47. He was playing the piano when the guests arrived.
48. They were having a picnic when it started to rain.
49. She was reading a novel when her brother interrupted her.
50. I was taking a nap when you knocked on the door.