Past Progressive
A complete B1 guide to the past progressive for actions in progress, interrupted actions, while and when clauses, and contrast with the simple past.
What Is the Past Progressive?
The past progressive is also called the past continuous. Use it for an action that was in progress at a particular time in the past.
The form is:
was / were + verb-ing
| Subject | Past Progressive |
|---|---|
I / he / she / it | was working |
you / we / they | were working |
At 8:00 last night, I was studying.
They were playing tennis at 10:30.
She was not listening when I explained it.
In the Middle of an Action
Use the past progressive when an action started before a past time and continued after that time.
This time last year, I was living in Montreal.
What were you doing at 9:00 last night?
I waved, but he was not looking.
The past progressive focuses on the activity during the time, not on the finished result.
| Past Progressive | Simple Past |
|---|---|
We were walking home when I saw Lee. | We walked home after the party. |
Kate was watching TV when I arrived. | Kate watched TV all evening. |
I was reading at 10:00. | I read three chapters. |
Interrupted Actions: When and While
Use the past progressive for the longer action. Use the simple past for the shorter action that happened during it.
I was cooking dinner when the phone rang.
We were having lunch when Sam arrived.
It was raining when I woke up.
Use while before the longer action.
The doorbell rang while I was taking a shower.
She called me while I was driving home.
Use when before the shorter action or before the time something happened.
I was walking home when I met Dan.
When we arrived, they were eating.
Two Actions at the Same Time
Use the past progressive for two actions happening at the same time.
I was cooking while my brother was setting the table.
The students were talking while the teacher was writing on the board.
Stative Verbs
Some verbs are usually not used in progressive forms. Use the simple past with verbs such as know, want, believe, understand, and need.
We knew each other well.
I wanted to leave early.
Do not say:
We were knowing each other well.
Common Mistakes
| Mistake | Better | Why |
|---|---|---|
I was watch TV. | I was watching TV. | Use verb-ing after was/were. |
They was playing. | They were playing. | Use were with they. |
I watched TV when you called. | I was watching TV when you called. | Use past progressive for the action in progress. |
While I cooked, the phone rang. | While I was cooking, the phone rang. | While often introduces the longer action. |
I was knowing the answer. | I knew the answer. | Know is usually not progressive. |
Practice: Exercises
At 8:00, I ___ studying.
Summary
Use the past progressive for actions in progress at a past time.
Use was/were + verb-ing.
Use it with when and while to show a longer action interrupted by a shorter past action.
Use the simple past for completed actions and for many stative verbs such as know and want.