PAST CONTINUOUS

1. USE 1

1.1. Use the Past Continuous to indicate that a longer action in the past was interrupted.

1.1.1. EXAMPLE

1.1.1.1. I was watching TV when she called.

2. USE 2

2.1. Described above,the Past Continuous is interrupted by a shorter action in the Simple Past.

2.1.1. EXAMPLE

2.1.1.1. At midnight, we were still driving through the desert.

3. USE 3

3.1. When you use the Past Continuous with two actions in the same sentence, it expresses the idea that both actions were happening at the same time.

3.1.1. EXAMPLE

3.1.1.1. I was studying while he was making dinner.

4. USE 4

4.1. In English, we often use a series of parallel actions to describe the atmosphere at a particular time in the past.

4.1.1. EXAMPLE

4.1.1.1. When I walked into the office, several people were busily typing, some were talking on the phones, the boss was yelling directions, and customers were waiting to be helped.

5. USE 5

5.1. The concept is very similar to the expression "used to" but with negative emotion. Remember to put the words "always" or "constantly" between "be" and "verb+ing."

5.1.1. EXAMPLE

5.1.1.1. She was always coming to class late.