PAST PROGRESSIVE TENSE

The PAST PROGRESSIVE TENSE indicates continuing action, something that was happening, going on, at some point in the past. This tense is formed with the helping "to be" verb, in the past tense, plus the present participle of the verb (with an -ing ending):
  • was riding my bike all day yesterday.
  • Joel was being a terrible role model for his younger brother.

The past progressive indicates a limited duration of time and is thus a convenient way to indicate that something took place (in the simple past) while something else was happening:
  • Carlos lost his watch while he was running.

The past progressive can express incomplete action.
  • was sleeping on the couch when Bertie smashed through the door.
(as opposed to the simple past, which suggests a completed action:
  • I slept on the couch last night.

SingularPlural
I was walkingwe were walking
you were walkingyou were walking
he/she/it was walkingthey were walking

SingularPlural
I was sleepingwe were sleeping
you were sleepingyou were sleeping
he/she/it was sleepingthey were sleeping


MBW

Comentarios

Entradas populares de este blog

Introduction to Past Tense