Was/Were + -ing
1. Definition & Core Meaning
The Past Continuous Tense describes an action that was in progress (happening) at a specific moment in the past.
2. Use Cases - Why do we use it?
• Interrupted Actions: An ongoing action (past continuous) interrupted by a short action (simple past). I was sleeping when the phone rang.
• Parallel Actions: Two things happening at the same time. I was cooking while he was reading.
• Setting the Scene: Describing the background of a story. The sun was shining and the birds were singing.
3. When to Use It - Key Signals
Look for time words linking two actions: when, while, as.
Look for specific past times: at 8 PM last night, this morning at 6.
4. How to Use It - Structural Formula
(+) Affirmative:
• I / He / She / It + was + verb-ing --> I was sleeping.
• You / We / They + were + verb-ing --> They were watching.
(-) Negative:
• I / He / She / It + was not (wasn't) + verb-ing --> She wasn't listening.
• You / We / They + were not (weren't) + verb-ing --> We weren't laughing.
(?) Question:
• Was + I / He / She / It + verb-ing? --> Was he walking?
• Were + You / We / They + verb-ing? --> Were you driving?