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Here below, there is an explanation about the PAST CONTINUOUS tense in English language.
We use the past continuous to describe an action in progress around a specific time in the past.
It is used to talk about two actions in the past that happened at the same time and were continuous.
The spelling rules relating to the formation of the Past continuous are the same as for the Present continuous.
Use the past of "be" + verb + (-ing)
I was
You were
He was
She was
It was
We were
You were
They were
ex: I was singing at eight o'clock this morning.
What were you doing at eight o'clock?
What were you doing at eight o'clock?
Remember
How to form the ending "-ing"
You have to add the sufix "-ing" at the end of every verb. But, bare in mind the following rules:
* Verbs ends in "e", change it by "i"
examples
ride --> riding
write --> writing
freeze --> freezing
dance --> dancing
phone --> phoning
* When the verb ends
CONSONANT + VOWEL + CONSONANT
you have to double the last consonant.
examples
win --> winning
sit --> sitting
cut --> cutting
swim --> swimming
stop --> stopping
skip --> skipping
begin --> beginning
dig --> digging
But, there are some exceptions that don't follow this rule.
*These verbs don't double the last consonant because the stress is placed on the first syllable
open --> opening
happen --> happening
visit --> visiting
listen --> listening
* Don't double the last consonant if the verbs end in W, Y, X.
fix --> fixing
flow --> flowing
play --> playing
Now, you can do two exercises to practise the Past Continuous tense.
Exercise 1
Look at Jane's diary.
What was she doing at these times?
Her diary
Monday 4.30 - 5.30 p.m.
have an appointment at the dentist's
Tuesday 7 - 8 p.m.
play tennis with Mimi
Wednesday 8 - 10 p.m.
watch the Black Widows
Thursday 8.30 - 9.30 p.m.
revise for an English test
Friday 5 - 7 p.m.
do the shopping with Caroline
Saturday 11.30 - 12.30 a.m.
cook lunch
Sunday 9 - 10 a.m.
tidy the house with mum
On Monday at 5 p.m, she _____ an appointment at the dentist's.
On Tuesday between 7 - 8 p.m, Jane and Mimi _____ tennis.
On Wednesday at 9 o'clock, she _____ the Black Widows.
On Thursday from 8.30 to 9.30, she _____ for an English test.
On Friday at 6 o'clock, Jane and Carrol _____ the shopping.
On Saturday between 11.30 and 12.30, she _____ lunch.
On Sunday at 9.30, Jane and her mum _____the house.
But I don't know what she _____ at 12 p.m. on Sunday. Was she sleeping?
Exercise 2
The Thompson family.
What were they doing on Sunday at 7 o'clock?
Mr. Thompson _____ (cook) dinner in the kitchen.
Mrs. Thompson _____ (clean) their car in front of their house.
Jack and Eve _____ (sit) in the hall near the fireplace.
Jack, their 11 years old son, _____ (read) Shakespeare's sonnets.
Eve, at the age of 16, _____ (play) with Barbies.
Their grandma and grandpa _____ (have) a good time.
Their grandma _____ (exercise) in the gym.
Their grandpa _____ (iron) shirts and socks in the living room.
They also had two pets. And do you know what they _____ (do)?
Spot, the puppy, _____ (catch) mice in the garden.
And Kitty, the little cute kitten, _____(fight) with neighbour's dog.
Exercise 3
Exercise 4
Exercise 5
