Past continuous

Use the past continuous for activities in progress around a particular moment in the past.

When do we use it?

Form was or were plus verb-ing and describe background actions in past situations.

Form

Use was/were + verb-ing for an action that was in progress at a past time.

• I was reading at eight.
• They were sleeping.
• Was she working?
• We were not listening.

Key contrast

Read the whole context and identify the time, meaning, noun type or sentence structure before choosing.

Common mistakes

• They was waiting. → They were waiting.
• I was read. → I was reading.

Remember

Use the past continuous for activities in progress around a particular moment in the past.

Quick check

• Find the grammar clue.
• Check the subject and verb form.
• Confirm that the answer fits both structure and meaning.