Past Continuous Examples [100 Sentences!] presents many examples for you to master the Past Continuous tense. This verb tense describes actions that were happening at a specific moment in the past. It often sets the scene in storytelling and is used for:
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Describing background actions
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Interrupted actions in the past
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Parallel actions happening at the same time
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Actions in progress at a particular time
Structure:
Affirmative: Subject + was/were + verb + -ing
Negative: Subject + was/were + not + verb + -ing
Interrogative: Was/Were + subject + verb + -ing?
✅ Affirmative Sentences
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I was reading a book.
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She was cooking dinner.
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They were playing football.
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We were watching a movie.
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He was studying for his test.
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The kids were laughing loudly.
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You were talking too fast.
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Anna was writing a letter.
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Tom was listening to music.
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I was driving home.
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Maria was cleaning the kitchen.
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John was fixing his bike.
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The dog was barking at the cat.
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We were eating lunch at 1 p.m.
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He was running in the park.
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Sarah was painting a picture.
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My parents were working in the garden.
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James was reading the newspaper.
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Lucy was waiting for the bus.
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They were practicing for the concert.
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Olivia was watering the plants.
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I was shopping for groceries.
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We were walking to school.
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He was checking his emails.
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She was making a cake.
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The boys were climbing a tree.
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I was organizing my desk.
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Emily was teaching a class.
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Mark was polishing his shoes.
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We were discussing the project.
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The cat was sleeping on the couch.
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Lisa was jogging by the river.
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I was playing guitar in my room.
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The wind was blowing strongly.
❌ Negative Sentences
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I wasn’t listening to the teacher.
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She wasn’t paying attention.
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They weren’t working yesterday.
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We weren’t sleeping at midnight.
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He wasn’t studying English.
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You weren’t watching TV.
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The baby wasn’t crying.
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Tom wasn’t eating dinner.
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I wasn’t thinking clearly.
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Anna wasn’t waiting for anyone.
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We weren’t playing outside.
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He wasn’t feeling well.
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She wasn’t cleaning the room.
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They weren’t helping their parents.
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I wasn’t talking to Mark.
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Sarah wasn’t drawing at that time.
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We weren’t having fun.
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He wasn’t driving to work.
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The birds weren’t singing.
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I wasn’t drinking coffee.
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You weren’t taking notes.
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Lucy wasn’t using her phone.
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The students weren’t studying.
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He wasn’t fixing the car.
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We weren’t laughing at the joke.
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Lisa wasn’t eating lunch.
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The kids weren’t playing quietly.
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I wasn’t paying attention.
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Maria wasn’t walking to school.
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He wasn’t making any noise.
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They weren’t arguing.
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You weren’t reading the instructions.
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Olivia wasn’t preparing dinner.
❓ Interrogative Sentences
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Were you watching the news?
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Was she cooking when you arrived?
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Were they working yesterday afternoon?
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Was he talking to you?
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Were we meeting at 3 p.m.?
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Was it raining this morning?
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Were you studying last night?
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Was Anna waiting at the station?
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Were the kids sleeping?
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Was Tom playing the piano?
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Were we driving too fast?
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Was the baby crying loudly?
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Were they laughing at the joke?
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Was she teaching a class?
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Were you running in the park?
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Was Mark cleaning his room?
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Was Lucy reading a novel?
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Were the students writing essays?
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Was he fixing the bike?
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Were you drinking water?
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Was John swimming in the pool?
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Were we talking too much?
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Was Sarah making a call?
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Were the children shouting?
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Were you planning the trip?
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Was Lisa dancing at the party?
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Was Emily checking her messages?
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Were you painting the walls?
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Was the teacher explaining the topic?
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Were the guests arriving on time?
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Was she using your laptop?
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Were we watching the same show?
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Was it getting dark already?
Use these examples to understand how to form and apply the Past Continuous tense in real-life situations. Try making your own sentences, too!
