2B – PAST PROGRESSIVE (CONTINUOUS)

Structure:
– Verb: Verb(ing)
– Auxiliary : to BE in the Past (was/were)
– Negative Forms: weren’t/wasn’t

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Situation 1) Junction of 2 Actions in a [moment that is over] -> an Action (V(ing)) and a Past Action (V(2nd column)).
The Past Progressive describes actions that were happening at a particular moment in the past very often illustrated buy a Past verb (V(2nd column). It emphasizes the ongoing nature of the action.

– Examples
– [At 8 PM], I was reading a book.
– She was cooking dinner when the phone rang.
– They were watching TV at that time.
– He was driving home when he squashed a squirrel. (didn’t notice and “continued”)
– While he was driving home, he squashed into a tree. (definitively did not “continue”)

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Other Situation Variations

Situation2) Two or More Simultaneous Past Actions
This tense is used to describe two or more actions that were happening at the same time in the past.

– Examples:
– While I was studying, my brother was playing video games.
– They were talking on the phone while I was preparing dinner.
– She was reading a novel as he was working on his project.
– The children were playing outside while the parents were chatting.

Situation 3) Interrupted Actions
The Past Progressive is often used to describe an action that was interrupted by another action, which is usually expressed in the Past Simple.
– Examples:
– I was watching TV when the power went out.
– She was walking home when it started to rain.
– They were having dinner when the doorbell rang.
– He was working on his essay when his computer crashed.

Situation 4) Setting the Scene
In storytelling, the Past Progressive is used to set the scene, describing the background situation or atmosphere when something else happened.
– Examples:
– It was raining heavily when the bus arrived.
– The sun was setting as we reached the beach.
– People were chatting and laughing at the party.
– The wind was blowing strongly as the storm approached.

Situation 5) Temporary Actions or Situations
This tense is used to emphasize that an action or situation was temporary, often contrasting it with a permanent one.
– Examples:
– She was staying with her parents while her apartment was being renovated.
– I was working as a waiter during my summer holidays.
– He was living in Berlin for a few months last year.
– They were studying for their exams during that period.

Situation 6) Repeated Actions with Annoyance
The Past Progressive can be used to describe repeated actions in the past, often with a sense of annoyance or irritation, and typically with words like “always” or “constantly.”
– Examples:
– He was always losing his keys.
– She was constantly complaining about her job.
– They were always arguing over trivial matters.
– You were always borrowing my books without asking.
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KEY WORDS: WHEN / WHILE / AS

Key words: Using “When,” “While,” and “As” with the Past Progressive**

The Past Progressive tense is often used with the words “when,” “while,” and “as” to describe actions that were happening at the same time in the past. These words help to connect the ongoing action (Past Progressive) with another event or action.

1. “When” with the Past
– “When” is typically used to introduce a shorter action or event that interrupts or happens during a longer, ongoing action. The shorter action is usually in the Past Simple, while the ongoing action is in the Past Progressive.
– Examples:
– I was reading a book when the phone rang.
– She was cooking dinner when the doorbell rang.
– They were walking to school when it started to rain.

Explanation: In these examples, “when” introduces the Past Simple action (the phone rang, the doorbell rang, it started to rain) that interrupts or occurs during the ongoing Past Progressive action (reading, cooking, walking).

2. “While” with the Past Progressive

– “While”** is used to show that two actions were happening at the same time in the past. Both actions are often in the Past Progressive tense, but one can also be in the Past Simple if it was ongoing during another action.

– Examples:
– She was studying while he was watching TV.
– They were playing outside while their mother was preparing dinner.
– I was doing my homework while my sister was practicing the piano.

Explanation: “While” indicates that both actions were happening simultaneously. In these examples, both actions are in the Past Progressive because they were ongoing at the same time.

3. “As” with the Past
– “As” is similar to “while” and is used to indicate that two actions were happening at the same time. It is often interchangeable with “while,” but “as” can sometimes suggest that the two actions are closely connected or that one was happening gradually.
– Examples:
– I was leaving the house as it started to rain.
– She was smiling as she walked down the street.
– The sun was setting as we arrived at the beach.

Explanation: “As” is used here to show that the actions were happening at the same time. It can give a sense of the actions occurring together or in a connected sequence.

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Summary
– “When”: Often introduces a Past (Simple) action that interrupts or happens during a Past Progressive action.

– “While”: Connects two ongoing actions happening at the same time, usually both in the Past Progressive.

– “As”: Similar to “while,” often used to show two simultaneous actions, sometimes with a sense of connection or gradual occurrence.
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