Ingles

Past Continuous

Indicates that an action was taking place in a certain time in the past to which reference is made. It does not say if the action already completed or still on.


When the mother came home her husband was playing with the kids


Sometimes described two simultaneous actions that occurred in the past. In that case, use the "past implemented" to describe that ending and the "past continuous" for that one that was happening when the first took place.



Yesterday evening when you called me I was having a shower
When the parents arrived home the children were watching TV


Another difference between the two times is that the "past continuous" is sometimes used to indicate that the action is more casual, less planned.


Yesterday morning, from 8 to 10, I was running
Yesterday morning, from 8 to 10, I ran


Write the way of the past continuous verb in brackets:


1- While Martha was reading a book John was making dinner (read/make)

2- While your neighbor _________ I ________the guitar (study/ not play)

3- I________ on John’s door. (knock)

4- While Felipe ________ her nose you _______your knees (touch-2)

5- Thomas_________ his teeth (not brush)

6- When Miriam___________her eyes, Joseph _________them (open/close)

7- ________ they __________ their hands? (wash)

8- I________ the TV ________when she ______ (watch/sing)

9- While your neighbor _________ I ________the guitar (study/play)

10- ________ Helen _________ because she had broken her ankle? (suffer)