Past Continuous Tense - English Grammar

You have learned the Present Progressive Tense, so today the lesson will be Past Continuous Tense or Past Progressive Tense. When you think of how this tense goes I would say that it is just like the Present Progressive. They are similar in the structures but different in the time provision.

past progressive tense exercises

"You or someone is DOING something, BUT in the past"

Structure: S + was/were + V-ing + complement.

I was...
He was...
She was...
It was...
You were...
We were...
They were...

Look at the past continuous tense examples bellow to learn more.

Using Past Continuous Tense in Affirmative Forms

I was having dinner with mom when my dad got home last night.
Jones was napping when I came to his apartment this morning.
They were exercising when you called me to ask where they were yesterday.

Using Past Continuous Tense in Negative Forms

I was not having any great time on the last holiday.
She was not lying to you, so please trust her.
We all were busy working on the new product sales.

Using Past Continuous Tense in Interrogative Forms

Was she visiting her grandma last week?
Were you staying at a hotel or where?
Was your presentation going well?

Exercises

1) _____ you going to the beach?
a. was
b. was


2) ______ she having lunch with your friend?
a. was
b. were


3) Where was she _____?
a. go
b. going


4) It _____ not happening as you predicted before.
a. was
b. were


5) Did you _____ part on the contest?
a. take
b. taking


6) Does she like green tea?
a. like
b. liking


7) _____ you playing the game now?
a. are
b. were

8) I found that they _____ cheating on the exams yesterday.

a. are

b. were

If you still don't understand well, you may ask me. I will be excited to answer your questions.