PAST CONTINUOUS

(I was doing)
We use the past continuous to say that somebody was in the middle of
doing something at a certain time. The action or situation had
already started before this time but had not finished.
Examples:
- This time last year I was liing in !ra"il.
- What were you doing at #$ o%cloc& last night'
- I waed to her but she wasn%t loo&ing.
(ompare the past continuous (I was doing) and past simple (I did):
#) )ast continuous (in the middle of an action):
- I was wal&ing home when I met *ae (in the middle of wal&ing home)
- +n was watching teleision when the phone rang (in the middle of
watching teleision)
,) )ast simple (complete action)
- I wal&ed home after the party last night (all the way- completely)
- +nn watched teleision a lot when she was ill last year.
We often use the past simple and the past continuous together to say
that something happened in the middle of doing something else:
- Tom burnt his hand when he was coo&ing dinner.
- I saw you in the par& yesterday. .ou were sitting on the grass
and reading a boo&.
!ut we use the past simple to say that one thing happened after
another:
- I was waling along the road when I saw *ae. /o I stopped and we
had a chat.
Exercise:
)ut the erbs into the correct form- past continuous or past simple:
#) 0ane 1 (wait) for me when I 1 (arrie).
,) What 1 (you2do) this time yesterday' I was asleep.
3) 1 (you2go) out last night' 4o- I was too tired.
5) Was (arol at the party last night' .es- she 1 (wear) a really nice
dress.
6) 7ow fast 1 (you2drie) when the accident 1 (happen)'
8) 0ohn 1 (ta&e) a photograph of me while I 1 (not2loo&).
9) We were in a ery difficult position. We 1 (not2&now) what to do.
:) I haen%t seen +lan for ages. When I last 1 (see) him- he 1 (try)
to find a ;ob in <ondon.
=) I 1 (wal&) along the street when suddenly I 1 (hear) footsteps
behind me. /omebody 1 (follow) me. I was frightened and I 1 (start)
to run.
#$) When I was young- I 1 (want) to be a bus drier.