Past Continuous Tense

Uses

a. To describe actions or events that were happening in the past.

b. To tell a short duration action that occurs while another action is in progress (using when/while)

A. Structures

(+)        : Subject + to be(was/were) + verb-ing + object

(-)         : Subject + to be negative(was'nt/were'nt) + verb-ing + object

(?)         : To be(was/were) + subject + verb-ing + object ?         

 

Time expressions : yesterday, last week, two days ago, one month ago, last night etc.

Examples

-She was teaching math yesterday

-We were studying english last week

-Dona wasn't sleeping last night

-Rehan and Rizki were'nt eating yesterday

-Was yachi dancing last evening ?

-Were they watching someone dancing last evening ?

Past Continuous part 2

- We use past continuous tense for the long action

- We use simple past continuous tense for the short action 

Meaning when/while = ketika.

Remembering :

Past Continuous    : S + to be(was/were) + v-ing + o

Simple past           : S + v2 + o

Formula

1) Past continuous + when + simple past

    When + simple past, past continuous

Example:

 a. Tim was doing his homework

     Mum came home at 6:30 PM

The answer:

-Tim was doing his homework when  Mum came home

-When Mum came home, Tim was doing his homework

2) Simple past + while + past continuous

    While + past continuous, simple past

Example:

a. Erick was taking a shower

   The doorbell rang

The answer:

-The doorbell rang while Erick was taking a shower

-While Erick was taking a shower, the doorbell rang