Past continuous

• Engels
• Middelbare school
• mavo, havo, vwo
• Leerjaar 2,3

The verb to be + ing

Past continuous

Gebruik: iets was bezig in het verleden

               (vaak gebeurt er ook iets anders)

Past simple or Past continuous?

I was having a shower yesterday.

1. Past simple
2. Past continuous

He worked very hard.

1. Past Simple
2. Past Continuous

I was walking to school.

1. Past Simple
2. Past Continuous

He worked very hard.

1. Past Simple
2. Past Continuous

I was reading a book

1. Past Simple
2. Past Continuous

Present Perfect / Past Simple / Past Continuous

I ... (not - play) for three weeks now.

1. Present Perfect
2. Past Simple
3. Past Continuous

Was Andrew playing computer games?

1. Past Continuous
2. Past Simple

We weren’t singing very loud.

1. Past Simple
2. Past Continuous

The boys were fishing.

1. Past Continuous
2. Past Simple

I played football yesterday

1. Past Continuous
2. Past Simple

She was doing nothing today.

1. Past Continuous
2. Past Simple

Janet missed the bus.

1. Past Simple
2. Past Continuous

Past Continuous

Rule:

Past of to be + -ing

example:

Yesterday, I was walking to the gym, at 6pm.

For something which happened before and after another action

Example:

The children were doing their homework when I got home.

For something that happened before and after a specific time

Example:

It was eight o'clock. I was writing a letter

To show that something continued for some time

Example:

My head was aching.

For something that happened again and again

Example:

They were always fighting.

With verbs which show change or growth

Example:

Her English was improving.

What is the past continuous? (RULE)