Past Progressive
USES
1. Simultaneous Actions - Two actions that occurred at the same time in the past.
- While I was studying English my friend was studying French.
2. Interruptions - When one action interrupted another action that was already in progress.
- I was studying English when my friend interrupted me.
3. When talking about an action that was in progress at a specific time.
- At 4:00 am I was sitting in my bed studying for my English test.
FORM
- Positive: Subject + was/were + verb(ing) + rest of the sentence.
- I was studying English.
- Negative: Subject + was/were not + verb(ing) + rest of the sentence.
- I wasn't studying English.
- YES/NO Questions: Were/was + subject + verb(ing) + rest of the quesiton?
- Were you studying English?
- WH Questions: WH word + were/was + subject + verb(ing) + rest of the sentence?
- Why were you studying English?
- Questions with "Be" as Subject: Why/What/Why + was/were + verb(ing) + rest of the question?
- Who was studying at 4:00 am last night?
- I/He/She/It -- was/wasn't
- You/They/We --- were/weren't
HELPFUL TIME EXPRESSIONS/TIPS
- while or as usually comes before a past progressive verb.
- when usually comes before a past simple verb.
Past Progressive Explanation