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Unit 6 · Present and past

Past continuous (I was doing)

Study

A

Yesterday Karen and Joe played tennis. They started at 10 o'clock and finished at 11.30. So, at 10.30 they were playing tennis.

they were playing =

they were in the middle of playing, they had not finished

was/were + -ing is the past continuous:

he / she / it was playing
doing
we / you / they were working etc.
B

I was doing something = I was in the middle of doing it at a certain time. The action or situation started before this time, but had not finished:

›

This time last year I'm reading a really good book at the moment. I was living in Hong Kong.

›

What were you doing at 10 o'clock last night?

›

I waved to Helen, but she wasn't looking.

C

Compare I was doing (past continuous) and I did (past simple):

I **was doing** (= in the middle of an action) I **did** (= complete action)
We **were walking** home when I met Dan. (in the middle of walking home) We **walked** home after the party last night. (= all the way, completely)
Kate **was watching** TV when we arrived. Kate **watched** TV a lot when she was ill last year.
D

You can say that something happened (past simple) in the middle of something else (past continuous):

›

Matt phoned while we were having dinner.

›

It was raining when I got up.

›

I saw you in the park yesterday. You were sitting on the grass and reading a book.

›

I hurt my back while I was working in the garden.

But we use the past simple to say that one thing happened after another:

›

I was walking along the road when I saw Dan. So I stopped, and we talked for a while.

Compare:

When Karen arrived, we **were having** dinner. (= we had already started before she arrived) When Karen arrived, we **had** dinner. (= Karen arrived, and then we had dinner)
E

Some verbs (for example, know and want) are not normally used in continuous forms (is + -ing, was + -ing etc.). See Unit 4A for a list of these verbs.

›

We were good friends. We knew each other well. (not we were knowing)

›

I was enjoying the party, but Chris wanted to go home. (not was wanting)

→ Past simple (I did) → Unit 5

Exercises (4)

0/4 exercises checked
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6.1

Complete the sentences. Choose from:

was lookingwas wearingwasn't listeningweren't lookingwas snowingwas workingwere sittingwere you going
  1. 1
    Today Helen is wearing a skirt. Yesterday she trousers.example
  2. 2
    'What did he say?' 'I don't know. I .'
  3. 3
    We at the back of the theatre. We couldn't hear very well.
  4. 4
    This time last year Steve on a farm.
  5. 5
    They didn't see me. They in my direction.
  6. 6
    The weather was bad. It was very cold and it .
  7. 7
    I saw you in your car. Where ?
  8. 8
    I saw Kate a few minutes ago. She for you.
6.2

Which goes with which?

  1. 1When I got to the cafe
  2. 2We fell asleep
  3. 3Amy learnt Italian
  4. 4Tom didn't come out with us
  5. 5The car began to make a strange noise
  6. 6The TV was on
  7. 7When I first met Jessica
  1. awhen she was living in Rome.
  2. bshe was working in a clothes shop.
  3. cwhen I was driving home.
  4. dbut nobody was watching it.
  5. ewhile we were watching a film.
  6. fmy friends were waiting for me.
  7. gbecause he wasn't feeling well.
6.3

Put the verb into the correct form, past continuous or past simple.

  1. 1
    SUE
    I (see) Sue in town yesterday, but she (not/see) me. She (look) the other way.example
  2. 2
    I (cycle) home yesterday when a man (step) out into the road in front of me. I (go) quite fast, but luckily I (manage) to stop in time, and I (not/hit) him.
6.4

Put the verb into the correct form, past continuous or past simple.

  1. 1
    Jenny (wait) for me when I (arrive).example
  2. 2
    'What (you / do) at this time yesterday?' 'I was asleep.'
  3. 3
    ' (you / go) out last night?' 'No, I was too tired.'
  4. 4
    How fast (you / drive) when the accident (happen)?
  5. 5
    Sam (take) a picture of me while I (not / look).
  6. 6
    We were in a very difficult position. We (not / know) what to do, so we (do) nothing.
  7. 7
    I haven't seen Alan for ages. When I last (see) him, he (try) to find a job.
  8. 8
    I (walk) along the street when suddenly I (hear) something behind me. Somebody (follow) me. I was scared and I (start) to run.
  9. 9
    When I was young, I (want) to be a pilot. Later I (change) my mind.
  10. 10
    Last night I (drop) a plate when I (do) the washing up. Fortunately it (not / break).