Past continuous: what was happening

Short answer: Use the past continuous to say what was in progress at a time in the past: At eight last night, I was reading. Make it with was or were plus the -ing form of the verb. Use was with I, he, she and it, and were with you, we and they. Keep the -ing ending and never leave out was or were.

▶ Open the rule card · ✏️ Practice this rule

At a glance

In short

• was / were + -ing: what was happening in the past.
• was: I, he, she, it. were: you, we, they.
• Always keep the -ing ending.

What is the rule for “Past continuous: was / were + -ing”?

The rule

was / were + an -ing word tells what was in progress in the past.

How it looks

I / he / she / it + was + -ing · you / we / they + were + -ing

What it means

It shows an action that was going on at that time.

When to use it

Use it with a time in the past: at eight last night, at noon yesterday.

How it works

• Use a time in the past: at eight last night, at noon yesterday, when she called.
• Choose was or were by the subject, then add the -ing verb.
• Spelling is the same as for the present continuous: make → making, run → running.
• Use it for scenes and background in stories: The sun was shining and birds were singing.

Examples of “Past continuous: was / were + -ing”

• She was drawing a cat at six.
  she + was.
• We were eating rice at noon.
  we + were.
• The dog was sleeping at nine.
  dog = it: was.
• Were you reading?
  Yes, I was. / No, I wasn't.
• At seven o’clock, I was cooking dinner.
  Cooking was in progress at seven.
• They were watching a film when I arrived.
  The film was in progress.
• It was raining all morning.
  A long action in the past.
• What were you doing at nine?
  A question about a past moment.

Common mistakes with “Past continuous: was / were + -ing”

• I was read a book. → I was reading a book.
  After was use the -ing word.
• They was playing. → They were playing.
  they goes with were.
• I reading at eight. → I was reading at eight.
  We need was or were.
• He were sleeping. → He was sleeping.
  he goes with was.
• Was you reading? → Were you reading?
  you goes with were.

Exceptions: watch out

• Spelling
  Keep the -ing ending: draw → drawing, run → running (double the n), make → making (drop the e).

Past simple or past continuous?

Past simple tells a finished action. Past continuous tells what was in progress at a time.

See also: when and while in stories

Check yourself

1. Fill the gap: “At eight last night, we ___ (watch) TV.”
   Show the answer

   were watching we + were + -ing.

2. Fill the gap: “She ___ (sleep) at noon.”
   Show the answer

   was sleeping she + was + -ing.

3. Fix: “They was playing.”
   Show the answer

   They were playing. they goes with were.

How to practice “Past continuous: was / were + -ing”

The interactive version adds step-by-step help, spoken instructions and a quick check. One rule card, one sound lesson and the first lesson of every stone are free to try; the rest is part of Full Access. See Full Access.

• Practice lesson: Past continuous: was/were + -ing

Questions

Can the past continuous stand alone?

Yes, with a time: At nine, I was working. Without a time, it often needs another event in the story.

Why not “I was knowing”?

Verbs of state, such as know and like, are not used with -ing.

What is the difference from the past simple?

Past simple says an action was completed. Past continuous says it was going on at that time.

More Linking Ideas Further rules

• before and after: before and after put two events in time order. Each part needs its own subject and verb.
• when and while in stories: while goes with the longer action (was / were + -ing). when goes with the short action that interrupts.
• Why we do things: to and so that: To give a reason for an action, use to + the plain action word. so that can be followed by a full idea.
• Describing people with who: who adds information about a person. It takes the place of he or she, so do not say it twice.
• Describing things with that and which: that and which add information about a thing. Do not say the thing twice.
• although and even though: although and even though show that two ideas are different. Do not add but.

Used in these writing topics

• Complex Island: before, after, while, although

Part of the 📘 Grammar tool. Level G5: Linking Ideas Further. Đọc bằng tiếng Việt.

Written for English learners by the English for Fun team. How we write our lessons · Last updated 2026-11-05.

Reviewed by Chinh Q. Hoang, PhD, founder, English for Fun · 2026-10-30

← before and after when and while in stories →