Past Continuous

An action in progress at a given past moment.

S + was/were + Ving

An action in progress at a specific moment in the past, often interrupted by another action. was for I/he/she/it, were for you/we/they.

Examples

  • They were loading the truck at noon.
  • I was checking rates when the client called.
  • Was she driving when it happened?

  • They was loading the truck at noon.

    They were loading the truck at noon.

    They requires were, not was: they were loading.

Common mistakes

  • was/were mismatch with the subject: They was → They were.
  • Using Past Continuous instead of Past Simple for a single completed action.
Practice