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
