What is the structure of the Past Continuous tense?

The Past Continuous tense uses auxiliary verbs.

• Uses 'was' or 'were'.

• Followed by main verb's -ing.

• Describes ongoing past actions.

Fill in the blank: To form negative sentences in Past Continuous, we insert ___ between the auxiliary verb and the main verb.

Not

True or False: The Past Continuous tense can be used to describe actions that were completed at a specific point in the past.

False. The Past Continuous tense is used to describe ongoing actions at a specific point in the past, not completed actions.

Explain how the Past Continuous tense is used in narratives.

Past Continuous sets narrative context.

• Describes ongoing actions.

• Sets background for events.

• Transitions to Past Simple.

Complete the sentence: He was reading a book when she ___.

Arrived

What is the difference between 'when' and 'while' in the context of Past Continuous?

When interrupts; while continues.

• When signals a short action.

• While indicates ongoing action.

• Context matters in tense usage.

Fill in the blank: The Past Continuous tense is often used alongside the ___ tense to indicate a sequence of events.

Past Simple

True or False: The Past Continuous tense cannot be used to describe simultaneous actions.

False. The Past Continuous tense can describe simultaneous actions by using conjunctions like 'while'.

What examples illustrate the use of Past Continuous tense?

Examples include: 'I was watching a film at 7 PM,' and 'They were not playing football at 9 AM.'

Complete the sentence: She was cooking when I ___ her.

Called

Explain the significance of knowing the time when using Past Continuous tense.

Knowing the time helps the listener understand the context and duration of the ongoing action being described.

Fill in the blank: The Past Continuous tense indicates that an action ___ before a specific moment in the past.

Was ongoing

What happens to the action described in Past Continuous when another action occurs?

The ongoing action is often interrupted or contrasted by a short action in Past Simple.

True or False: The Past Continuous tense can only be used for actions that are still ongoing at the present time.

False. The Past Continuous tense refers to actions that were ongoing at a specific moment in the past, not necessarily ongoing now.

Provide an example of a sentence using the Past Continuous and Past Simple.

'I was studying for my exams when the power went out.'