Past Continuous
The Past Continuous describes actions that were ongoing at a specific time in the past. It sets scenes, shows parallel actions, and highlights interruptions.
Usage
Use the Past Continuous to talk about actions in progress at a past moment, background activities, and temporary situations. It often pairs with the Past Simple for interruptions.
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## Examples
| English Example | English Example |
|---|---|
| 🌧️ I was walking home when the rain started. | 🌧️ The streets were glowing under the lampposts as I walked. |
| 🍵 She was having tea while watching the sunset. | 🍵 The sky was painting colors as she sipped her tea. |
| 🚴 They were cycling through the park when the lights came on. | 🚴 Golden lights flickered as their wheels turned. |
| 📚 He was reading on the bench when the first star appeared. | 📚 Pages glowed softly in the evening light. |
Examples
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Key Verbs
Some verbs commonly appear in the Past Continuous when describing scenes: talk, walk, listen, write, read, drive, cook, play, watch, and work.
| English | Past Continuous | Example |
|---|---|---|
| walk | was walking | I was walking home. |
| have | was having | She was having tea. |
| cycle | were cycling | They were cycling in the park. |
| read | was reading | He was reading a book. |
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Signal Words
Signal words like while, when, as, and time expressions help mark the Past Continuous and show relationships between actions.
| English Example | English Example |
|---|---|
| 🌒 I was walking home when the streetlights came on. | 🌇 She was having tea as the sun set. |
| 🌟 They were cycling through the park while stars appeared. | 🌙 He was reading on the bench under the moonlight. |
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Summary
The Past Continuous frames ongoing past actions, sets scenes, and highlights interruptions when paired with the Past Simple.
Last updated: Sun Sep 14, 2025