Patterns :
(+) S + be (was/were) + V-ing +...
(-) S + be (was/were) +Not + V-ing +...
(?)Be (was/were) + S + V-ing +...?
We use the past continuous tense to :
1. Talk about an action which was in progress at a certain time in the past
Examples :
-I was studying at 7 p.m last night
- Jhon and i were taking a walk at about 05.30 a.m yesterday morning.
2. To talk about two actions that occured at the same time. On eaction began earlier and was in progress when the other action interrupted. For example : dora was studying when her mother came home. In the sentence , dora studied, then her mother came home. After that, dora probably studied again.
Examples :
-While I was having lunch my father arrived home.
-While the teacher was explaining the lesson, the principal knocked on the door
- I was having lunch when my father arrived home.
-The teacher was explaining the lesson when the principal knocked on the door.
We can use while/when with the past continuous tense , but we can only use when before the simpel past tense.
2. Talk about two long actions that were in progress simultaneously.
Examples :
- While I was studying my mohter was watching tv
- While the children were playing , Mrs. Howard was preparing for their lunch.
