PAST PROGRESSIVE

The past progressive tense, also called the past continuous tense, emphasises a continuing or incomplete action in the past. We can use this tense to describe what was in progress at a specific moment in time in the past. It is formed with the past form of the auxiliary verb be (was/were), and the present participle or -ing form of the main verb.

EXAMPLE:

Lucy was sitting on the beach at six o'clock yesterday. Her friend Laurence doesn't like being lazy. So while Lucy was relaxing on the beach, he was sailing. Lucy was watching the sunset when Laurence passed by on his boat.

STRUCTURE

• POSITIVE:

(+) SUBJECT + VERB To BE (Past) + VERB (ING) + COMPLEMENT.

• NEGATIVE:

(-) SUBJECT + VERB To BE (Past) + NOT + VERB (ING) + COMPLEMENT..

• INTERROGATIVE:

(?) VERB To BE (Past) + SUBJECT + VERB (ING) + COMPLEMENT?

VERB TO BE IN PAST CONJUGATION

I - WAS

YOU - WERE

HE - WAS

SHE - WAS

IT - WAS

WE - WERE

YOU - WERE

THEY - WERE

EXAMPLES

(+) I was studying for the English class.

(-) I was not studying for the English class.

(?) Was I studying for the English class?

(+) You were playing the guitar.

(-)  You were not playing the guitar.

(?)  Were you playing the guitar?