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Past Progressive Tense

The past progressive tense (also sometimes called "past continuous") is formed by using was/were + main verb + ing, as in, "We were eating dinner when the phone rang."

We use the past progressive tense to talk about actions that were already in progress when another action took place in the past. (At the moment the phone rang, we were already in the process of eating dinner.)

It's also common to use this tense to talk about two on-going actions that were happening simultaneously in the past, as in, "While Axl Rose was perfecting his new album, his fans were waiting anxiously for it to come out."

Finally, we can also use this tense to talk about actions in the past that took place over time, as in, "I couldn't sleep last night because dogs were barking the whole night."

Past Progressive Tense Grammar Quiz

  1. While you sweating in the hot sun, I was hanging out in the air conditioned shopping mall.

  2. I lost my watch while I was .

  3. The family at the table sharing cookies.

  4. Julie in the coffee shop when her friend texted her to come to the bar.

  5. While I was cleaning the apartment, were you ?

Go Super to see the answers! Go Super!

Past Progressive Tense Lessons:

Move On

Bright Eyes

Cruises

The Crazies

Ghosts

Guns N' Roses

Held Up

Woodstock

Practice TOEFL Vocabulary >

Comments

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z@fi$

z@fi$

Mexico

really good..!!

02:28 PM May 09 2013 |

fahimrahimi302

Afghanistan

i was eating my lunch when he called me.


08:27 AM May 06 2013 |

naaney

Maldives

i was at the class when my moms called

03:53 AM Mar 10 2013 |

marlene_eugenio

Philippines

My hubby was cleaning our house while i am here at the office doing some report.


01:50 AM Oct 06 2012 |

mandaandani

Indonesia

while my mom was cleaning the electric fan, i was studying anglish grammar in Ebaby 


i was still sleeping when my friend came to my house


i was searching for my vocabulary while they gave me a birthday surprise 


my dad was minding his work while i requested him to help my homework

02:01 AM Oct 01 2012 |

1 person likes this

mandaandani

Indonesia

while Tom  texted me, i was chating with his dad 

01:10 AM Oct 01 2012 |

mandaandani

Indonesia

jonathan was suspecting his close friend when he lost his phone two days ago

01:06 AM Oct 01 2012 |

hamza1977

Iraq

I was swmming while my frind sat

07:48 PM Sep 15 2012 |

hamza1977

Iraq

hi

07:45 PM Sep 15 2012 |

nourelyakine

Algeria

I was walking while the rain falls Innocent

10:16 AM Sep 14 2012 |