Structure
Positive or Affirmative Sentences | Sub + was/ were + V1 + ing |
Negative Sentences | Sub + was/ were + not + V1+ ing |
Interrogative Sentences | Was/ Were + sub + V1 + ing + ? |
Interrogative-negative Sentences | Was/ Were + sub + not + V1 + ing + ? |
Let’s understand them with examples:
Positive or Affirmative | Negative | Interrogative | Interrogative-negative |
I was playing. | I was not playing. | Was I playing? | Was I not playing? |
You were playing. | You were not playing. | Were you playing? | Were you not playing? |
We were playing. | We were not playing. | Were we playing? | Were we not playing? |
He/ She/ It was playing. | He/ She/ It was not playing. | Was he/ she/ it playing? | Was he/ she/ it not playing? |
They were playing. | They were not playing. | Were they playing? | Were they not playing? |
Note:
Short form of was not = wasn’t
Short form of were not = weren’t
Uses
The Past Continuous Tense is used
1. to express an action that was continuing at some time in the past; e.g.,
(i) It was raining heavily when we entered the house.
(ii) Children were shouting loudly during the recess.
(iii) Tom was painting the door.
(iv) They were reading a story when I saw them.
2. with the words always, continually etc; e.g.,
(i) Neha was continually making complaints against other girls.
(ii) He was always making fun of others.
32 videos|317 docs|56 tests
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1. What is the past continuous tense? |
2. How is the past continuous tense formed? |
3. When do we use the past continuous tense? |
4. Can the past continuous tense be used for future actions? |
5. What are some signal words or phrases that indicate the use of the past continuous tense? |
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