The past continuous tense is very similar to the present continuous, which you have already learned. The past continuous tense is formed using:
subject + 'was' + verb+ing
Subject | "was" | Verb + ing | |
---|---|---|---|
I You He, She, It We, You They |
was were was were |
making | Sandcastles at the beach. |
You can also use the past continuous to make negative sentences using:
subject + 'was' + not + verb+ing
Subject | "was" | not | Verb + ing | |
---|---|---|---|---|
I You He, She, It We, You They |
was were was were |
not | Running | in the forest. |
Here are some examples of sentences that use the past continuous.
![group image](https://smrt.sfo2.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com/core/LMLA/YOUTH/ENGL115Youth/Unit%2003/Images/Grammar/1/3-1g1.jpg)
It was raining outside all day.
![group image](https://smrt.sfo2.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com/core/LMLA/YOUTH/ENGL115Youth/Unit%2003/Images/Grammar/1/3-1g2.jpg)
We were getting some bread for dinner.
![group image](https://smrt.sfo2.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com/core/LMLA/YOUTH/ENGL115Youth/Unit%2003/Images/Grammar/1/3-1g3.jpg)
She was talking to me on the telephone.
![group image](https://smrt.sfo2.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com/core/LMLA/YOUTH/ENGL115Youth/Unit%2003/Images/Grammar/1/3-1g4.jpg)
They were jumping on the bed!
![group image](https://smrt.sfo2.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com/core/LMLA/YOUTH/ENGL115Youth/Unit%2003/Images/Grammar/1/3-1g5.jpg)
We were rocking out at the concert all night.
![group image](https://smrt.sfo2.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com/core/LMLA/YOUTH/ENGL115Youth/Unit%2003/Images/Grammar/1/3-1g6.jpg)
She was playing music all night.