Past Continuous Tense: Lesson 1
Meaning: Actions with continuity in the past.
For example, let’s say we played football between 6:00 and 7:00 yesterday. The expression for this is:
I was playing football with my friends between 6:00 and 7:00.
Yesterday, I was sitting by the window in class.
Here, there is a sense of continuity in the action.
What were you doing around 10:00 last night?
I was sleeping because I was very tired.
“While” and “When”
When combined with another action, we can use “While” and “When.”
While I was waiting for the bus, I saw one of my old friends.
1st action: I was waiting for the bus
2nd action: I saw my old friend
When combined with “While,” it becomes “I saw an old friend while waiting for the bus.”
“When”
When Tony phoned me yesterday, I was having my dinner.
I was having dinner when Tony called me.
Sometimes, we can use “-ing” in both situations.
While I was doing my homework, my sister was having her lunch.
A burglar was trying to open the front door at the same time we were watching television.
While we were watching TV, a burglar was trying to open the front door.