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Past Continuous

LESSON
Lesson Reference
Grammar rules and examples for self-study
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REVIEW
Review Exercises
Fill-in and gap-fill practice tasks
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ANSWER KEY
Answer Key
Correct answers for all exercises
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Past Continuous

Grammar Reference

Form Example
Formwas/were + verb-ingWhile I was sleeping, she called.
Usein-progress past action · background · interruptedIt rained while we were walking.
while + cont · when + simplebackground vs interruptionI was reading when she called.
Stativeno continuous: know, love, seeThey were playing when it started to rain.

Past Continuous — Exercises

Choose the correct form

  1. I _____ TV when you called.
    (was watching / watched / were watching) 
  2. They _____ football yesterday.
    (was playing / were playing / play) 
  3. What _____ you _____ at 8pm?
    (were doing / did do / was doing) 
  4. She _____ when the bell rang.
    (sleep / was sleeping / were sleeping) 
  5. While I _____, my phone rang.
    (cooked / was cooking / were cooking) 
  6. It _____ heavily this morning.
    (was raining / rained / were raining) 
  7. We _____ very happy at the party.
    (was feeling / were feeling / felt) 
  8. He _____ to me when I left.
    (wasn't talking / didn't talking / weren't talking) 

Complete with Past Continuous

  1. I (study) when she arrived.
  2. They (not / listen) to the teacher.
  3. What (you / do)?
  4. The kids (play) in the garden.
  5. She (sleep) at 11pm.

Past Continuous — Answer Key

Choose the correct form

  1. was watching
  2. were playing
  3. were doing
  4. was sleeping
  5. was cooking
  6. was raining
  7. were feeling
  8. wasn't talking

Complete with Past Continuous

  1. was studying
  2. weren't listening
  3. were you doing
  4. were playing
  5. was sleeping