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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 at the same time in the past, as in, "While Justin Timberlake was finishing his new album, his fans were waiting for the chance to hear it."

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:

Trains

Going to College

The Danger Of Drones

Ghosts

Hunting

Bright Eyes

Los Angeles

Proposals

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Comments

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luyy

China

I was watching TV when I was folding some paper basket.

04:44 PM Jul 24 2009 |

edecmn

Mongolia

hi

07:42 AM Jul 03 2009 |

عسوله

Libyan Arab Jamahiriya

when Iwas eating my mum came

10:06 AM Jun 30 2009 |

cmartinez2@gmail.com

Spain

It was a nice lesson. However, these kids were lying to their friends all this time. I don't know if they should rely on them again. I have the experience of one of my friend who was lying me for more than 2 years. When she blew her cover I was very disappointed. For that reason, I have never hung out with her again.

03:12 AM May 28 2009 |

yawar

yawar

Pakistan

it was very nice lessan,

08:10 PM Apr 27 2009 |

buramo326

Mongolia

while i was taking a shower my boyfriend  looked

08:54 AM Apr 22 2009 |

emer.esquierdo

Philippines

Wow Did your husband really caught you in the act of having sex with your lover?

06:06 AM Apr 22 2009 |

zetazetazeta

Argentina

While I was studying, she was watching tv 

02:07 PM Apr 20 2009 |

dinispanda

dinispanda

Brazil

i was teaching when i saw it.

08:05 AM Apr 09 2009 |

sweetbit

Mexico

i was youking when i wrote this, ok?? I am not even married. Laughing

06:51 PM Apr 04 2009 |