The past continuous tense (also called the past progressive) is used for a continuous action in progress at a specific time in the past. It started in the past, and it also finished in the past, but when we are referring to the action, it was unfinished. It can also be used to describe ongoing actions that were happening at the same time in the past.
Time expressions such as ‘at 8 o’clock last night’, ‘when you called’, ‘all day’, and ‘while’ are commonly used with this tense.
Interrupted Action in the Past
Level: Intermediate
We use the past continuous when we are talking about a continuous action in the past that was interrupted by another shorter action.
Joe was watching a movie when he heard a loud noise.
In the above example, Joe started watching a movie at some point in the past. During the middle of the movie, Joe heard a loud noise, which interrupted his movie.
Here are more examples in context:
When I finally got home, everyone was sleeping.
Q. What were you doing when the power went out?
A. I was studying English.
While the children were playing, it started to snow.
Unfinished Action at a Specific Time in the Past
Level: Intermediate
We also use the past continuous when we are talking about an unfinished action at a specific point in time in the past.
Joe was watching a movie last night at 9 pm.
In the above example, Joe started watching a movie before 9 pm last night. At 9 pm, Joe was in the middle of watching the movie. The movie was not finished at that time.
Here are more examples in context:
I was taking a shower at 7 am.
We were flying to New York at this time yesterday.
Q. Why was the boss yelling at noon?
A. She wasn’t yelling. She was laughing!
Actions Happening in Parallel
Level: Intermediate
When two or more past continuous actions are in the same sentence, it shows that both actions were happening at the same time in the past.
The monkeys were eating bananas while the tourists were taking pictures of them.
Here are more examples in context:
Mary was listening carefully while the teacher was speaking.
I was eating breakfast, watching the news, and preparing for my test.
What were they doing while the band was playing?
They were lying on the grass and singing along.
Create Atmosphere in a Story
Level: Intermediate
The past continuous can use parallel actions to describe the scene of a story at a particular time in the past.
When Jane arrived at the beach, the sun was setting, people were playing volleyball, the waves were crashing onto the sand, and everyone was having a great time.
Several actions that were happening at the same time when Jane arrived. This allows the storyteller to paint a picture in the reader’s mind.
Temporary Past Habits
Level: Intermediate
Using adverbs ‘always’ or ‘constantly’ with the past continuous can describe temporary habits that often happened in the past. These temporary habits are often shocking or irritating.
Andrew was constantly talking in the middle of math class when we were in high school.
The speaker is remembering a classmate, Andrew, who had a bad habit of talking in math class in high school. This action was annoying to the speaker.
Yes, I remember those tour groups. They were always complaining about their rooms. I’m happy they don’t come here anymore.
They were constantly leaving the door open when they left the restaurant.
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