The main function of the past progressive (also called the past continuous) is to show a continuing (long) action getting interrupted by a short past action.
Past = Already Happened
Progressive = Continuous = Happening
How to form the past progressive: was/were + ___verb____ing
For example: I was riding my bicycle when it started to rain.
I was riding
You were riding
He was riding
She was riding
It was riding
We were riding
They were riding
The past progressive (also called the past continuous) shows a continuing (long) action getting interrupted by a short past action.
Both actions took place in the past (they already happened); however, the past progressive describes what was happening before the simple past action occurred. In other words, it provides the background.
Examples
Past = Already Happened
Progressive = Continuous = Happening
How to form the past progressive: was/were + ___verb____ing
For example: I was riding my bicycle when it started to rain.
I was riding
You were riding
He was riding
She was riding
It was riding
We were riding
They were riding
The past progressive (also called the past continuous) shows a continuing (long) action getting interrupted by a short past action.
Both actions took place in the past (they already happened); however, the past progressive describes what was happening before the simple past action occurred. In other words, it provides the background.
Examples
- I was eating dinner when he called me last night.
- We were playing soccer when it started to rain.
- They were singing in the auditorium when the fire alarm went off.
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Function #2
A less common function of the past progressive is to emphasize that two long, continuing actions happened at the same time. It is less common because the simple past is an acceptable, common substitute.
Examples
Example #1
Example #2
Example #3
It is also possible to use the past progressive to emphasize only one long past action.
Simple Past Vs. Past Progressive
The simple past is used to show a completed past action. The time when the action took place is usually given. Common time markers used with the simple past tense include yesterday, last, ago, and when. Specific days, dates, years, and clock times are also frequently used.
A less common function of the past progressive is to emphasize that two long, continuing actions happened at the same time. It is less common because the simple past is an acceptable, common substitute.
Examples
Example #1
- I **was daydreaming ** while you **were talking **. ✓
- I **daydreamed ** while you **talked **. ✓
Example #2
- The children **were watching ** TV while their parents **were talking **. ✓
- The children **watched ** TV while their parents **talked **. ✓
Example #3
It is also possible to use the past progressive to emphasize only one long past action.
- We were studying all night.
- The children were crying loudly.
- I was sitting on the edge of my seat during the movie.
- At 8:00 pm, my brothers were doing their homework.
Simple Past Vs. Past Progressive
The simple past is used to show a completed past action. The time when the action took place is usually given. Common time markers used with the simple past tense include yesterday, last, ago, and when. Specific days, dates, years, and clock times are also frequently used.
- I studied for the test yesterday.
- Paulo ate lunch two hours ago.
- Mi Sook graduated in 2018.