Understanding past continuous tense

What is the past continuous tense?

The past continuous tense is a verb tense that helps describe actions or situations that were ongoing in the past. It’s formed by using the past tense of the auxiliary verb “to be” or “was/were” with the present participle form of the main verb (usually ending in “–ing”).

For example:

• She was cooking dinner when the doorbell rang.
• They were playing in the park all afternoon.

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How to use the past continuous tense

The past continuous tense adds context to your writing by describing what was happening when another action took place. Here are some examples of when to use the past continuous tense:

When describing past actions in progress

Use this tense to describe ongoing events in the past and to help readers understand what was happening during any given time.

• While I was studying for my exam, a thunderstorm was raging outside.

When providing background information

When narrating a story or giving readers context, the past continuous tense can be used to create a backdrop for other events that take place.

• The sun was setting as the medieval knight was preparing for his quest.

When expressing simultaneous actions

Use the past continuous tense to describe two or more actions taking place at the same time.

• She was singing while he was playing the guitar.

Past progressive tense vs. past continuous tense

Generally, the past progressive and past continuous tenses are used interchangeably to refer to the same thing: ongoing actions in the past. The difference, if any, is subtle and varies depending on regional and stylistic preferences.

If we want to make a distinction, past continuous is the more popular term in British English use past continuous as the universal term, especially when writing for an international audience.

Past continuous tense examples

To solidify your understanding, here are some additional sentences using the past continuous tense:

• She was watching her favorite TV show when the power went out.

In this example, the past continuous tense describes an ongoing action that was interrupted by another event.

• While I was reading a gripping novel, my dog was sleeping on the couch.

Here, the past continuous tense describes two simultaneous actions happening in the past: the narrator reading while the dog is sleeping.

• The children were playing in the garden when it suddenly started raining.

In this example, the past continuous tense highlights the children’s play and how it was interrupted by the rain.

Improve your writing using the past continuous tense

As a writer, mastering the past continuous tense can add depth and sophistication to your stories. Whether you’re writing fiction, non-fiction, or academic work, having a solid understanding of your tenses can improve your writing.