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Past Progressive Tense

The past progressive tense (also sometimes called "past continuous") is formed by using was/were + main verb + ing, as in, "We were eating dinner when the phone rang."

We use the past progressive tense to talk about actions that were already in progress when another action took place in the past. (At the moment the phone rang, we were already in the process of eating dinner.)

It's also common to use this tense to talk about two on-going actions that were happening at the same time in the past, as in, "While Justin Timberlake was finishing his new album, his fans were waiting for the chance to hear it."

Finally, we can also use this tense to talk about actions in the past that took place over time, as in, "I couldn't sleep last night because dogs were barking the whole night."

Past Progressive Tense Grammar Quiz

  1. While you sweating in the hot sun, I was hanging out in the air conditioned shopping mall.

  2. I lost my watch while I was .

  3. The family at the table sharing cookies.

  4. Julie in the coffee shop when her friend texted her to come to the bar.

  5. While I was cleaning the apartment, were you ?

Go Super to see the answers! Go Super!

Past Progressive Tense Lessons:

Trains

Going to College

The Danger Of Drones

Ghosts

Hunting

Bright Eyes

Los Angeles

Proposals

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Comments

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sweetbit

Mexico

i was having sex with my lover when  my husband came home. oops!!

06:49 PM Apr 04 2009 |

bassoum

Cote D'Ivoire

i was sleeping when my phone rang

10:12 AM Apr 04 2009 |

emer.esquierdo

Philippines

This past progressive thing is cool.

 

12:35 AM Mar 13 2009 |

marcy_sm

Italy

I was working when i decided to enter in this blog

 

10:19 AM Feb 25 2009 |

francis_fernandez29

Philippines

example: I was driving my car when i saw my friend jagging.

04:48 PM Feb 23 2009 |

maria_b

maria_bSuper Member!

Brazil

I was watching TV when she knocked on the door.

01:54 AM Feb 03 2009 |

oujaa essaid

Morocco

hi

plaise i like to have some exampl of past progressive because i find a lot problems when i want to use in context

09:12 PM Jan 27 2009 |