Lesson

Past continuous - I was doing, I did

Past actions in progress

≈ 15 min 8 block(s)

Text

What is the Past Continuous?

The past continuous (was/were + -ing) describes actions that were in progress at a specific time in the past. It often sets the background for another action described in the simple past.

  • Use past continuous for an ongoing action in the past: I was preparing the slides.
  • Use simple past for a completed action or interruption: The client called.
  • Common signal words: while (for the longer action), when (for the interrupting action).

Table

Past Continuous vs Simple Past

Tense Use Example
Past Continuous (was/were + -ing) Background action / action in progress I was typing the summary at 9 PM.
Simple Past (verb + -ed / irregular) Completed action / interrupting action The CEO called at 9:05 PM.
Past Continuous + Simple Past Ongoing action interrupted by a single event I was preparing the slides when the client arrived.

Tip

Key rule: formation and contrast

Form the past continuous with was/were + verb-ing. Use it to show an action in progress in the past. Use simple past for a completed action or an interruption.

  • I/he/she/it + was + verb-ing → I was writing.
  • We/you/they + were + verb-ing → They were discussing.
  • Use 'while' for two simultaneous ongoing actions: While I was working, she was reviewing.
  • Use 'when' to introduce the interrupting action in simple past: I was working when he called.

Remember: past continuous = background / ongoing; simple past = completed / interruption.

Example

Examples in context

I was writing the report when the manager called.

While we were discussing the budget, the client sent an email.

The team was working on the presentation all afternoon.

She was checking the figures when the computer crashed.

Tip

Common mistakes to avoid

Learners often mix the two past tenses or make formation errors. Watch out for these universal mistakes:

  • Using past continuous for a single completed event: 'I was called' (unless meant as an ongoing activity).
  • Forgetting the -ing: 'I was write the report' is incorrect.
  • Using 'was' with plural subjects (should be 'were'): 'They was working' is wrong.
  • Choosing past continuous when simple past is needed for a finished action at a specific time.

Check whether the action was ongoing (use past continuous) or finished (use simple past).

Quiz

Choose the correct sentence to describe an action in progress that was interrupted by another action:

Hint: Focus on which action was ongoing and which happened once.

Quiz

Complete: I _____ the report when the manager called.

Hint: Think of the action that was in progress; use past continuous form.

Quiz

Choose the sentence that correctly uses the simple past to show a completed action at a specific time:

Hint: Think about an action that is completed at a definite past time.

Key Points

GrammarPoint

past continuous

grammar_point CEFR B1 //pɑːst kənˈtɪnjʊəs//

A past tense formed with was/were + verb-ing used to describe actions in progress in the past.

She was preparing the agenda during the afternoon meeting.

GrammarPoint

simple past

grammar_point CEFR A2 //ˈsɪmpəl pɑːst//

A past tense used to describe completed actions or events that happened at a specific time in the past.

They finished the report before the meeting.

Vocabulary

interrupt

verb CEFR B1 //ˌɪn.təˈrʌpt//

To stop an activity by occurring or taking action during it.

The client interrupted the call with an urgent question.

Vocabulary

while

conjunction CEFR A2 //waɪl//

Used to indicate that two actions were happening at the same time.

While I was drafting the email, he prepared the slides.

Vocabulary

when

conjunction CEFR A2 //wɛn//

Used to introduce the action that interrupts or occurs at a specific time.

I was on a call when the delivery arrived.

Vocabulary

ongoing

adjective CEFR B1 //ˈɒnˌɡəʊɪŋ//

Continuing; not finished or resolved.

There was an ongoing discussion about the project timeline.