PAST CONTINUOUS TENSE
Elements OF THE PAST CONTINUOUS
The past continuous tense depicts activities or occasions in a period before now, which started previously is as yet going ahead at the season of talking. At the end of the day, it communicates an incomplete or inadequate activity before.
The past continuous tense, otherwise called the past dynamic tense, alludes to a proceeding with activity or express that was going on sooner or later previously. The past ceaseless tense is framed by joining the previous tense of to be (i.e., was/were) with the verb’s available participle (- ing word).
There are numerous circumstances in which this verb tense may be utilized as a part of a sentence. For instance, it is regularly used to portray conditions that existed previously.
- The sun was sparkling each day that midyear.
- As I talked, the youngsters were chuckling at my intelligence.
It can likewise be utilized to depict something that was going on consistently in the past when another activity interfered with it.
- The group of onlookers was praising until the point when he tumbled off the stage.
- I was making supper when she arrived.
It is utilized:
- Frequently, to depict the foundation in a story written in the previous tense, e.g. “The sun was sparkling and the feathered creatures were singing as the elephant left the wilderness. Alternate creatures were unwinding in the shade of the trees, yet the elephant moved rapidly. She was searching for her infant, and she didn’t see the seeker who was watching her through his binoculars. At the point when the shot rang out, she was running towards the river…”
- To depict an incomplete activity that was hindered by another occasion or activity, e.g. “I was having a wonderful dream when the wake up timer rang.”
- To express a difference at the top of the priority list: e.g. “I would spend the day at the shoreline yet I’ve chosen to complete my homework.”
- With ‘ponder’, to make an extremely affable demand: e.g. “I was thinking about whether you could watch me this evening.”
Examples
- They were sitting tight for the transport when the mischance happened.
- Caroline was skiing when she broke her leg.
- When we arrived he was having a shower.
- At the point when the fire began I was staring at the TV.
Note: with verbs not regularly utilized as a part of the consistent frame, the basic past is utilized.
Forming the Past Continuous Tense
The past ceaseless of any verb is made out of two sections: the previous tense of the verb “to be” (was/were), and the base of the primary verb +ing.
Subject was/were base + ing
They were watching
Positive
She was reading
Negative
She wasn’t reading
Interrogative
Was she reading?
Interrogative negative
Wasn’t she reading?
TO PLAY, PAST CONTINUOUS
Affirmative Negative Interrogative
I was playing I was not playing Was I playing?
You were playing You were not playing Were you playing?
He was playing He wasn’t playing Was he playing?
We were playing We weren’t playing Were we playing?
They were playing They weren’t playing Were they playing?
