The past continuous tense is formed using:
- subject + verb 'was' + verb+ing
Subject | "was" | Past Verb | |
---|---|---|---|
I | was | eating | sandwiches in the park. |
You | were | eating | sandwiches in the park. |
He | was | eating | sandwiches in the park. |
She | was | eating | sandwiches in the park. |
It | was | eating | sandwiches in the park. |
We | were | eating | sandwiches in the park. |
You | were | eating | sandwiches in the park. |
They | were | eating | sandwiches in the park. |
You can also use the past continuous to make negative sentences using:
- subject + verb 'was' + not + verb+ing
Subject | "was" | not | Past Verb | |
---|---|---|---|---|
I | was | not | jumping | on the bed. |
You | were | not | jumping | on the bed. |
He | was | not | jumping | on the bed. |
She | was | not | jumping | on the bed. |
It | was | not | jumping | on the bed. |
We | were | not | jumping | on the bed. |
You | were | not | jumping | on the bed. |
They | were | not | jumping | on the bed. |
Here are some examples of sentences that use the past continuous.
![friends](https://smrt.sfo2.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com/core/LMLA/YOUTH/ENGL120Youth/unit01/1-4g1.jpg)
I was having fun with my best friend.
![clown](https://smrt.sfo2.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com/core/LMLA/YOUTH/ENGL120Youth/unit01/1-4g2.jpg)
At the haunted house, they were feeling scared!
![old car](https://smrt.sfo2.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com/core/LMLA/YOUTH/ENGL120Youth/unit01/1-4g3.jpg)
They were driving a very unusual car.
![squid](https://smrt.sfo2.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com/core/LMLA/YOUTH/ENGL120Youth/unit01/1-4g4.jpg)
She was swimming with the squid.
![tandem bicycle](https://smrt.sfo2.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com/core/LMLA/YOUTH/ENGL120Youth/unit01/1-4g5.jpg)
These guys were not riding an ordinary bike.
![snack](https://smrt.sfo2.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com/core/LMLA/YOUTH/ENGL120Youth/unit01/1-4g6.jpg)
He was eating a small snack in the kitchen.