Past Continuous
Learn the past continuous (was/were + -ing): actions in progress, interrupted actions with when and while, setting the scene, and past simple contrasts.
In short
- Form: was/were + verb-ing — I was working, they were waiting, she wasn't listening.
- Use it for an action in progress at a moment in the past: 'At 8 pm I was having dinner.'
- Long action (past continuous) + short interruption (past simple): 'I was cooking when the phone rang.'
- 'While' usually introduces the longer action; 'when' usually introduces the short one.
- Actions one after another take the past simple: 'When she arrived, we started dinner.'
- State verbs (know, want, like, believe) are not normally continuous: 'I knew', not 'I was knowing'.
Use the past continuous to describe an action that was in progress at a particular moment in the past. The action started before that moment and continued after it: 'At eight o'clock last night I was having dinner' (I started before eight and finished after eight).
Form: was/were + verb-ing. Use 'was' with I, he, she, it and singular nouns; use 'were' with you, we, they and plural nouns.
Spelling of -ing: most verbs just add -ing (work → working). Drop a final -e (make → making, write → writing). Double the final consonant after a single stressed vowel letter (stop → stopping, sit → sitting, but look → looking). In British English a final -l is also doubled: travel → travelling. Change -ie to -y (lie → lying, die → dying).
Compare: 'At 8 pm I had dinner' means dinner started at 8. 'At 8 pm I was having dinner' means dinner had already started and was still going on.
Form:was/were + verb-ing (I/he/she/it was · you/we/they were)
Examples
At eight o'clock last night I was having dinner.
In progress at that moment.
This time yesterday we were flying to Lisbon.
'This time yesterday' = at this moment, one day ago.
At midnight the neighbours were still playing loud music.
'still' = it hadn't stopped yet.
What was she doing at 10 am? — She was working.
Question and answer about a moment in the past.
My parents were living in Spain in 2010.
A temporary situation around a past time.
Common mistakes
Incorrect:
They was playing football.Correct:They were playing football.
Use 'were' with you, we, they and plural nouns.
Incorrect:
At 8 pm I was have dinner.Correct:At 8 pm I was having dinner.
After was/were, the verb takes -ing.
Incorrect:
She was writeing an email.Correct:She was writing an email.
Drop the final -e before -ing.
Incorrect:
We were siting in the garden.Correct:We were sitting in the garden.
Double the final consonant after a single stressed vowel letter: sit → sitting (but look → looking).
this time yesterday
/ˌðɪs ˈtaɪm ˈjestədeɪ/
This time yesterday I was lying on a beach.
at midnight
/ət ˈmɪdnaɪt/
At midnight we were still talking.
lying
/ˈlaɪɪŋ/
The cat was lying in the sun.
travelling
/ˈtrævəlɪŋ/
They were travelling around Asia that summer.
Choose the correct form: At 10 pm my parents ___ TV.
Complete with the past continuous of 'sit': At lunchtime we ___ in the garden.
Complete with the past continuous of 'lie': This time yesterday I ___ on a beach in Greece.
Match each verb with its -ing form.
Select a word on the left, then its pair on the right.
One word is extra — leave it out. Build the sentence.
Tap words in order to build the sentence.
We often use the past continuous and the past simple together. The past continuous describes the longer background action; the past simple describes a shorter action that happened in the middle of it, often interrupting it: 'I was reading when the lights went out.'
'When' is usually followed by the short action in the past simple: 'We were having lunch when the fire alarm went off.' 'While' (or 'as') is usually followed by the long action in the past continuous: 'While I was walking home, I met an old friend.'
The clauses can go in either order. When the time clause comes first, put a comma after it: 'While I was cooking, the dog ran outside.' / 'The dog ran outside while I was cooking.'
The short action can stop the long one ('I was having a shower when the water went cold') or simply happen during it ('I was driving to work when I saw the accident').
Form:was/were + -ing … when + past simple · While + was/were + -ing, … past simple
Examples
I was reading when the lights went out.
Long action + short interruption.
While I was walking home, I met an old friend.
'while' + the long action.
We were having lunch when the fire alarm went off.
'go off' = start ringing.
She cut her finger while she was chopping onions.
Short action first, then 'while' + long action.
What were you doing when the accident happened?
Question about the background action.
Common mistakes
Incorrect:
I was reading when she was calling.Correct:I was reading when she called.
The short, interrupting action takes the past simple.
Incorrect:
While I cooked, the phone was ringing.Correct:While I was cooking, the phone rang.
Long action → past continuous; short action → past simple.
Incorrect:
When I was arriving, they were eating.Correct:When I arrived, they were eating.
Arriving is a short action, so use the past simple.
while
/waɪl/
While I was waiting, I read the news.
go off
/ˌɡəʊ ˈɒf/
The fire alarm went off during the meeting.
suddenly
/ˈsʌdənli/
I was driving home when suddenly a deer ran into the road.
interrupt
/ˌɪntəˈrʌpt/
Sorry to interrupt, but your taxi's here.
was waiting
/wəz ˈweɪtɪŋ/
He was waiting at the station when it started raining.
The water went cold in the middle of my shower. Choose: I ___ a shower when the water ___ cold.
Complete with the past continuous of 'sleep': We ___ when the alarm went off.
Complete with the past simple or past continuous of 'see': I was driving to work when I ___ the accident.
Choose the correct linking word: She cut her finger ___ she was chopping onions.
Build the sentence.
Tap words in order to build the sentence.
When two longer actions were in progress at the same time, use the past continuous for both, usually joined by 'while': 'I was cooking while my partner was setting the table.' Neither action interrupts the other; they run side by side.
You can also link parallel actions with 'and': 'The children were playing in the garden and their parents were chatting.'
With the same subject, you don't need to repeat was/were: 'She was talking on the phone and making notes.'
Compare: 'While I was cooking, he was watching TV' (two activities in parallel) with 'While I was cooking, he arrived' (a short action during a long one).
Form:subject + was/were + -ing + while + subject + was/were + -ing
Examples
I was cooking while my partner was setting the table.
Two long actions at the same time.
While the teacher was talking, the students were taking notes.
Both actions in progress.
The children were playing in the garden and their parents were chatting.
Parallel actions joined by 'and'.
She was talking on the phone and making notes.
Same subject: no need to repeat 'was'.
Were you listening while I was talking?
Question with two parallel actions.
Common mistakes
Incorrect:
We was chatting while they were dancing.Correct:We were chatting while they were dancing.
'We' takes 'were'.
Incorrect:
She was talking on the phone and was make notes.Correct:She was talking on the phone and making notes.
Both verbs need -ing.
was watching
/wəz ˈwɒtʃɪŋ/
I was watching TV while my brother was studying.
were talking
/wə ˈtɔːkɪŋ/
They were talking while she was driving.
set the table
/ˌset ðə ˈteɪbl/
I was setting the table while he was cooking.
take notes
/ˌteɪk ˈnəʊts/
The students were taking notes during the lecture.
chat
/tʃæt/
We were chatting about the weekend.
Choose the correct forms: I ___ TV while my brother ___ for his exam.
Complete with the past continuous of 'talk': They ___ while she was driving.
Complete with the past continuous of 'take': While the teacher was explaining the rules, the students ___ notes.
Which sentence describes two actions in progress at the same time?
Build the sentence.
Tap words in order to build the sentence.
Stories and descriptions often begin with the past continuous to set the scene — to describe what was happening around the time of the main events: 'It was a cold night. Snow was falling and the wind was blowing.'
Then the past simple moves the story forward with the main events: 'Suddenly, someone knocked at the door.' The continuous forms are the background picture; the simple forms are the action in the foreground.
The past continuous is also used to describe what people were wearing or doing at that time: 'She was wearing a long red coat and she was smiling.'
Note: 'be' as a state normally stays in the past simple: 'It was a cold night' (not 'It was being a cold night').
Form:Background: was/were + -ing · Main events: past simple
Examples
It was a cold night. Snow was falling and the wind was blowing.
Setting the scene.
The sun was shining and people were sitting outside cafés.
Background activity.
She was wearing a long red coat.
Describing appearance at that time.
Everyone was laughing when suddenly the music stopped.
Background, then the main event.
The streets were empty and a dog was barking somewhere.
'were empty' is a state → past simple.
Common mistakes
Incorrect:
It was being a beautiful day.Correct:It was a beautiful day.
'Be' as a state isn't normally used in the continuous.
Incorrect:
The sun shone and suddenly I was hearing a scream.Correct:The sun was shining and suddenly I heard a scream.
Background → past continuous; the sudden event → past simple.
was shining
/wəz ˈʃaɪnɪŋ/
The sun was shining and birds were singing.
were laughing
/wə ˈlɑːfɪŋ/
The children were laughing at the clown.
was wearing
/wəz ˈweərɪŋ/
She was wearing a long red dress.
knock
/nɒk/
Someone knocked at the door.
bark
/bɑːk/
A dog was barking all night.
Choose the correct form: It was midnight. Everyone ___ when suddenly the phone rang.
Complete with the past continuous of 'wear': The woman at the door ___ a long red coat.
Complete with the past simple or past continuous of 'hear': The wind was blowing and the trees were moving. Suddenly I ___ a strange noise.
Which sentence is NOT correct?
Build the sentence.
Tap words in order to build the sentence.
Make the negative with wasn't (was not) or weren't (were not) + -ing: 'I wasn't listening.' 'They weren't wearing seat belts.'
For yes/no questions, put was/were before the subject: 'Was it raining?' 'Were you sleeping?' Short answers use was/were only: 'Yes, it was.' / 'No, I wasn't.'
For wh- questions, the question word comes first: 'What were you doing at 8 pm?' 'Why was she crying?' 'Who were you talking to?'
These questions are common when you ask about someone's activities at a past time — for example, when you couldn't reach them: 'What were you doing at eleven last night? I called you three times!'
Form:wasn't/weren't + -ing · (Wh-word) + was/were + subject + -ing…?
Examples
Sorry, I wasn't listening. Could you repeat that?
Negative: wasn't + -ing.
They weren't wearing seat belts.
Plural subject → weren't.
Was it raining when you left? — Yes, it was.
Yes/no question and short answer.
What were you doing at eleven last night?
Wh-word + were + subject + -ing.
Who were you talking to on the phone?
The preposition goes at the end.
Common mistakes
Incorrect:
What you were doing at 8 pm?Correct:What were you doing at 8 pm?
In questions, was/were comes before the subject.
Incorrect:
Did you sleeping when I called?Correct:Were you sleeping when I called?
Past continuous questions use was/were, not did.
Incorrect:
I didn't listening.Correct:I wasn't listening.
The negative is wasn't/weren't + -ing.
wasn't listening
/ˈwɒznt ˈlɪsnɪŋ/
Sorry, I wasn't listening.
weren't paying
/wɜːnt ˈpeɪɪŋ/
They weren't paying attention.
pay attention
/ˌpeɪ əˈtenʃn/
Were you paying attention in class?
seat belt
/ˈsiːt belt/
He wasn't wearing a seat belt.
Choose the correct question: ___ you doing at 8 pm yesterday?
Complete with the negative past continuous of 'listen': Sorry, I ___. Could you say that again?
Complete the short answer: 'Were they waiting for us?' — 'No, they ___.'
Match the questions and answers.
Select a word on the left, then its pair on the right.
Make a question.
Tap words in order to build the sentence.
The past simple describes a complete action — it started and finished: 'I wrote an email.' The past continuous describes an action in progress, without focusing on its end: 'I was writing an email (when you called).'
Sequences: when one action happens after another, use the past simple for both: 'When the guests arrived, we served dinner' (they arrived, then we served it). Compare: 'When the guests arrived, we were serving dinner' (dinner had already started).
Repeated or counted actions take the past simple: 'I called her three times' (not 'I was calling her three times').
State verbs describe states rather than actions — know, believe, like, love, want, need, understand, own, belong, seem. They are not normally used in continuous forms: 'I knew the answer' (not 'I was knowing'). 'She wanted to leave' (not 'She was wanting').
Form:Complete / one after another → past simple · In progress / background → was/were + -ing
Examples
When the guests arrived, we served dinner.
Two actions in sequence: arrive, then serve.
When the guests arrived, we were serving dinner.
Dinner had already started.
I called her three times, but she didn't answer.
Counted, completed actions → past simple.
I didn't know the answer.
'know' is a state verb: no continuous form.
He was writing a novel that summer, but he never finished it.
In progress, not completed.
Common mistakes
Incorrect:
I was knowing the answer.Correct:I knew the answer.
'Know' is a state verb, so it isn't normally used in the continuous.
Incorrect:
I was calling her five times yesterday.Correct:I called her five times yesterday.
A number of completed actions → past simple.
Incorrect:
When I was finishing work, I went home.Correct:When I finished work, I went home.
One action after another → past simple for both.
state verb
/ˈsteɪt vɜːb/
'Know' is a state verb: I knew him well.
belong
/bɪˈlɒŋ/
The bike belonged to my brother.
serve
/sɜːv/
We served dinner at eight.
guest
/ɡest/
The guests arrived late.
Match each sentence with its meaning.
Select a word on the left, then its pair on the right.
Choose the correct form: I ___ the answer, so I put up my hand.
Complete with the past simple or past continuous of 'ring': I ___ you three times yesterday! Where were you?
We left after the film ended. Choose: When the film finished, we ___ home.
Complete with the past simple or past continuous of 'want': As a child, I ___ to be a pilot.
Build the sentence.
Tap words in order to build the sentence.
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Frequently asked questions
What is the difference between the past simple and the past continuous?
The past simple describes a complete, finished action: 'I made dinner.' The past continuous describes an action in progress at a past moment, often as the background to another event: 'I was making dinner when you called.' For actions that happen one after another, use the past simple for both.
Do I use 'when' or 'while' with the past continuous?
'While' usually introduces the longer action in the past continuous: 'While I was driving, my phone rang.' 'When' usually introduces the shorter action in the past simple: 'I was driving when my phone rang.' 'When' can also introduce a longer action, but 'while' makes it clearer.
Why can't I say 'I was knowing'?
Verbs that describe states rather than actions — know, believe, like, want, need, own — are not normally used in continuous forms. Use the past simple instead: 'I knew', 'She wanted', 'They owned a shop'.
Is it 'was' or 'were' in the past continuous?
Use 'was' with I, he, she, it and singular nouns, and 'were' with you, we, they and plural nouns: 'I was waiting', 'They were waiting'. In questions the same forms go before the subject: 'Were you waiting?'
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1st & 2nd Conditional