Usage examples, affirmative sentences, negative sentences, questions (interrogative sentences) for past continuous tense.
The past continuous tense (also known as past progressive tense) is used to describe actions that were ongoing or in progress at a specific time in the past. It emphasizes the duration or interrupted nature of an action.
Usage Examples
Certain time in the past
The baby was sleeping at 2 PM.
The workers were fixing the road at noon.
We were waiting for the bus at 4:45 PM.
At 8 PM last night, I was watching a movie.
They were playing football at 5 PM yesterday.
At this time last week, we were traveling to Paris.
He was studying for his exam at midnight.
Simultaneous past actions
They were laughing when he was telling jokes.
I was listening to music while my friend was drawing.
While we were swimming, the lifeguard was watching us.
My parents were chatting while I was doing my homework.
While I was studying, my brother was playing video games.
The birds were singing as the sun was rising over the hills.
Interrupted action in the past
She was sleeping when the alarm went off.
We were eating dinner when the power went out.
They were playing football when it began to snow.
I was cleaning the house when the doorbell rang.
The waiter was serving food when the customer stood up.
They were arguing when the teacher entered the room.
Background description in a story
The sun was setting, and the sky was turning orange.
It was raining, and the streets were shining under the streetlights.
Once upon a time, a young girl named Lily was walking along a narrow path...
It was a dark and stormy night. The wind was howling through the trees, and the rain was tapping against the windows.
Repeated past actions
He was always losing his phone.
They were always arriving late.
My brother was always borrowing my clothes.
He was always interrupting me during meetings.
The bus was always running late on Mondays.
She was constantly asking the same questions.
Changing events in the past
The economy was improving after years of struggle.
His health was deteriorating as he refused to see a doctor.
She was getting used to her new job after a few weeks.
He was becoming more confident in his public speaking.
The baby was recognizing familiar faces more easily.
The city was expanding, and new buildings were appearing everywhere.
Affirmative Sentences
I was watching a movie when you called.
She was reading a book at 8 PM last night.
They were playing football in the park yesterday afternoon.
He was cooking dinner when I arrived.
We were waiting for the bus when it started raining.
The kids were drawing pictures at school yesterday.
She was practicing the piano when I went to visit her.
I was studying all night for the exam.
They were working late at the office yesterday.
He was singing his favorite song when I heard him.
At 9 AM, I was having coffee with my friend.
She was laughing at the joke when I walked in.
We were shopping for groceries at the market.
They were dancing at the party all night long.
I was playing video games when my brother called me.
He was speaking to his colleagues during the meeting.
She was walking her dog when I saw her outside.
We were traveling through Italy last summer.
The teacher was explaining the lesson to the class.
They were looking for their keys when the door opened.
I was listening to music when the power went out.
She was cleaning the house all day.
The children were playing in the yard when it started to snow.
He was working on a new project yesterday evening.
They were driving home when they heard the news.
I was talking to my friend when the phone suddenly dropped.
She was writing an email when her computer froze.
We were having a great time at the beach.
They were eating lunch when the waiter brought the dessert.
I was traveling around the country last year.
The flowers were blooming in the garden.
He was running late for the meeting.
She was studying French when she decided to travel to Paris.
We were laughing at the movie throughout the evening.
I was practicing yoga when my phone rang.
They were attending a conference in London last week.
She was calling her friend when the battery died.
We were painting the house when the rain started.
He was explaining his idea when everyone started interrupting.
The chef was preparing dinner when the guests arrived.
Negative Sentences
I wasn't eating lunch when you called.
She wasn't working on her project last night.
They weren't studying for the test yesterday afternoon.
He wasn't driving when the accident occurred.
We weren't listening to music at the time.
The children weren't playing outside when it started to rain.
I wasn't doing anything important when the doorbell rang.
She wasn't watching the movie when it started.
We weren't waiting for you at the cafe.
They weren't having dinner when the guests arrived.
I wasn't feeling well when the meeting started.
She wasn't wearing her glasses at that moment.
They weren't practicing the dance moves when I saw them.
He wasn't sleeping during the flight.
I wasn't reading the book when the power went out.
They weren't traveling abroad last summer.
We weren't cooking anything at the time.
She wasn't attending the conference yesterday.
I wasn't thinking about it when you mentioned it.
He wasn't coming to the party last weekend.
The cat wasn't playing with the ball of yarn.
We weren't having fun at the event.
I wasn't speaking to her when she asked for help.
They weren't finishing the project by the deadline.
He wasn't wearing a jacket when it was cold outside.
We weren't watching the game when it got interesting.
I wasn't writing an email at that moment.
They weren't planning a vacation last year.
She wasn't listening to the instructions properly.
We weren't visiting any museums during the trip.
I wasn't enjoying the party when you arrived.
He wasn't responding to my messages all day.
They weren't getting along during the meeting.
We weren't running when the alarm went off.
I wasn't sitting on the chair when you called me.
She wasn't explaining the process clearly.
We weren't eating breakfast when you knocked on the door.
He wasn't working late that evening.
I wasn't talking to anyone at the party.
They weren't enjoying the movie as much as I did.
Interrogative Sentences
Were you watching the game when I called you?
Was she reading the book at that moment?
Were they playing basketball when it started raining?
Was he cooking dinner when you arrived?
Were we waiting for the train when the delay was announced?
Were the children drawing pictures in the classroom?
Was she practicing the violin when I went to visit her?
Were you studying for your exam all night?
Were they working overtime last week?
Was he singing in the choir when you heard the music?
Was I having lunch with you when you told me the news?
Was she laughing at my joke when I walked in?
Were we shopping at the mall when you found the store?
Were they dancing at the wedding all night long?
Were you playing the piano when I walked into the room?
Was he speaking with his manager during the meeting?
Was she walking her dog in the park when you saw her?
Were we traveling through Europe last summer?
Was the teacher explaining the lesson when the bell rang?
Were they looking for the missing document when you walked in?
Were you listening to music when the phone rang?
Was she cleaning the house when I arrived?
Were the children playing outside when it started to snow?
Was he working on a new project during the weekend?
Were they driving to the airport when they heard the news?
Were you talking to anyone when I saw you?
Was she writing a letter when the lights went out?
Were we having dinner when the guests arrived?
Were they eating lunch when you called them?
Was I traveling around Asia last year?
Were the flowers blooming in the garden when you visited?
Was he running late for his meeting?
Was she studying French before she went to Paris?
Were we laughing during the movie or was it just me?
Were you practicing your speech when I phoned?
Were they attending the seminar when you saw them?
Was she calling her friend when the battery died?
Were we painting the room when you showed up?
Was he explaining the situation to his team when the call came?
Was the chef preparing the special dish when the guests arrived?
Negative Questions
Weren't you watching the game when I called?
Wasn't she studying for the test last night?
Weren't they playing soccer in the park yesterday?
Wasn't he cooking dinner when you arrived?
Weren't we waiting for the bus when it started raining?
Weren't the kids drawing pictures in class yesterday?
Wasn't she practicing the piano when you visited her?
Weren't you studying all night for the exam?
Weren't they working late at the office yesterday?
Wasn't he singing his favorite song when you heard him?
Wasn't I having coffee with my friend at 9 AM?
Wasn't she laughing at the joke when you walked in?
Weren't we shopping for groceries at the market when you saw us?
Weren't they dancing at the party all night long?
Weren't you playing video games when I called you?
Wasn't he speaking to his colleagues during the meeting?
Wasn't she walking her dog when you saw her?
Weren't we traveling through Italy last summer?
Wasn't the teacher explaining the lesson to the class when I walked in?
Weren't they looking for their keys when the door opened?
Weren't you listening to music when the power went out?
Wasn't she cleaning the house all day yesterday?
Weren't the children playing in the yard when it started to snow?
Wasn't he working on a new project yesterday evening?
Weren't they driving home when they heard the news?
Weren't you talking to your friend when the phone dropped?
Wasn't she writing an email when her computer froze?
Weren't we having a good time at the beach when it started to rain?
Weren't they eating lunch when the waiter brought the dessert?
Wasn't I traveling around the country last year?
Question Words
What were you doing when I called you?
Where was she going when you saw her?
When were they leaving for their vacation?
Why was he working late last night?
How were we getting to the airport?
What were you watching on TV when I arrived?
Where were they staying during their trip?
Why was she crying during the meeting?
What was he saying when you walked in?
When were you studying for your exam?
How were they celebrating their anniversary last year?
Where were we going on holiday last summer?
What were you eating when I called you?
When was she leaving the office yesterday?
Why was he laughing during the serious discussion?
What were the kids doing at the park yesterday?
Where was she coming from when you met her?
Why was he running so fast?
How was the teacher explaining the lesson to the class?
What were they talking about during the meeting?
Why were you walking so quickly yesterday?
What were you thinking when you made that decision?
When was she arriving at the airport?
How was the chef preparing dinner when you arrived?
Why was she wearing a coat in the summer?
What was he doing when the lights went out?
Where was she living before she moved here?
What were you wearing to the party last night?
How was he feeling during the exam?
Where were they heading when you last saw them?