Lesson Eight:
The Past Continuous Tense
S + (be) + _____ing
The verb “be” is in the past tense: was or were
The main verb adds “ing” at the end of it
examples: | |
I was relaxing outside when this picture was taken | |
You were eating at a restaurant when this picture was taken. | ![]() |
He was shaving this morning when he cut himself. | ![]() |
She was spinning around and around before she fell down. | ![]() |
This elephant was out looking for food yesterday. | ![]() |
We were talking together last week. (Now we’re in two separate locations.) | you + I = we |
You were thinking about taking another English class this year. | ![]() |
They were riding on a big seven-person bicycle last week. |
Part A.-Directions: Complete each sentence in the past continuous tense.
1. She _______ ____________ on the phone five minutes ago. (talk)
2. I _________ _______________ to the radio this morning when I heard the news. (listen)
3. They _________ ____________ in Mexico last year. (live – negative)
4. You _________ ________________ last weekend. (work)
5. We _________ ______________ when the telephone rang. (sleep)
6. Bob bumped his head as he ________ ___________ into the car. (get)
7. It ___________ _____________ when we left home, but now it is. (rain – negative)
8. I ________ ____________ dinner while talking on the phone.(make)
9. The students ____________ ______________ very much last week, so they forgot what they had learned. (study – negative)
10. Maria _________ ____________ what she had to do to get the job done. (do – negative)
Part B.
Directions: Make questions in the past continuous tense. (10 points)
1. What _________ she ____________ last weekend? (do)
2. __________ you _______________ yesterday? (work)
3. Why _________ they ______________ so angry? (get)
4. __________ the sun ______________ earlier? (shine)
5. When __________ Ted _____________ on the phone? (talk)
6. __________ I _________________ last night? (snore)
7. How _________ he ___________ his bills when he lost his job? (pay)
8. _____________ the baby ______________ just now? (cry)
9. How much money __________ you ____________ at that company? (make)
10. ___________ we _________________ too loudly? (laugh)