In English we use the past continuous to talk about an action taking place during a period of time in the past. We usually use it with past simple.
The table below shows the different forms of past continuous :
Example verb : study | I / He / She / It | You / We / They |
Positive | ... was studying. | ... were studying. |
Negative | ... wasn't studying. | ... weren't studying. |
Questions | Was ... studying? | Were ... studying? |
Short answers | Yes, ... was. / No, ... wasn't. | Yes, ... were. / No, ... weren't. |
In English we use the past continuous to show that a longer action in the past was interrupted. The interruption is usually a shorter action in the past simple. This can be a real interruption or just an interruption in time.
Past Continuous Examples Sentences :
Positive Examples of Past Continuous :
Negative Examples of Past Continuous :
Question Examples of Past Continuous :
In English we can also use a specific time as an interruption.
Examples Sentences :
When you use the past continuous with two actions in the same sentence, it means that both actions were happening at the same time. The actions are parallel.
Examples Sentences :
Past continuous example sentences | |
---|---|
The other day, you complained about how loud I was snoring. | Ты как-то пожаловался, как громко я храплю. |
Alright Nick, what were you saying? | Ладно, Ник, о чем мы говорили? |
I was wondering where that chorizo smell was coming from. | А я недоумевал, откуда же доносится запах чоризо. |
I was planning on cooking some meat, originally. | Вообще-то я планировал приготовить мясо. |
No, I wasn't interested at all, I was just trying to be nice to her. | Нет, я совсем не была заинтересована, я просто пыталась быть с ней милой. |
But I don't know where he was getting it from. | Но я не знаю, где он его покупал. |
Hm, why was he begging the fairy to turn him into a real kid then? | Хм, а почему же тогда он умолял фею превратить его в настоящего ребенка? |
She was in the kitchen, too, preparing something to cook. | Она тоже была на кухне, собиралась что-то готовить. |
Yeah... What was I saying? | Да... О чем я говорил? |
Thank god you weren't looking for red wine! | Слава богу, ты не искала красное вино! |
When I came, you were at the bar getting yourself a beer. | Когда я зашёл, ты был у бара, брал себе пиво. |
Yeah, it wasn't only Pogo, she was complaining about everything! | А, это было не только про Пого, она жаловалась на все вокруг! |
I was planning on stirfrying some red peppers and mushrooms! | Я планировал обжарить красный перец и грибы! |
Yes, I already made myself a coffee while you were sleeping. | Да, я уже сделала себе кофе, пока ты спал. |
I think she definitely understood I was lying! | Думаю, она точно поняла, что я лгу! |
Yes, sorry, I was thinking of getting stock powder at the shop. | Да, извини, я думала купить куриный бульон в виде порошка в магазине. |
First she started to mumble about how long my cooking was taking. | Сначала она начала ворчать о том, как долго я занимаюсь готовкой. |
I was just trying to be more realistic! | Я просто старалась быть более реалистичной! |
I thought Diego was taking you somewhere. | Я думала, что Диего тебя куда-то зовёт. |
Noone was paying attention to your "precious" bag. | Никто не обращал внимания на твою "драгоценную" сумку. |