Past Continuous Tense – Definition, Structure and Examples

Understand what the past continuous tense is with its definition, structure, and past continuous tense examples.

Past Continuous Tense – Definition, Structure, and Examples

For a complete guide to the past simple tense in English, visit our awesome article Past Continuous (or Past Progressive) in English: A Complete Guide.

The past continuous tense, also known as the past progressive tense, is used to describe actions that were ongoing in the past. This tense is particularly useful for painting a picture of what was happening at a specific moment in the past or to provide background information in a narrative.

Definition

The past continuous tense describes an action that was in progress at a specific time in the past. It highlights the ongoing nature of the action rather than its completion.

Structure

The past continuous tense is formed using the past tense of the verb “to be” (was/were) followed by the present participle (verb + -ing). Here is the structure:

Affirmative:

• I was (verb + -ing)
• You were (verb + -ing)
• He/She/It was (verb + -ing)
• We were (verb + -ing)
• They were (verb + -ing)

Negative:

• I was not (verb + -ing)
• You were not (verb + -ing)
• He/She/It was not (verb + -ing)
• We were not (verb + -ing)
• They were not (verb + -ing)

Interrogative:

• Was I (verb + -ing)?
• Were you (verb + -ing)?
• Was he/she/it (verb + -ing)?
• Were we (verb + -ing)?
• Were they (verb + -ing)?

Examples

Here are 100 example sentences using the past continuous tense:

1. I was reading a book when you called.
2. She was cooking dinner at 6 PM yesterday.
3. They were playing soccer when it started to rain.
4. We were watching TV all evening.
5. He was taking a shower when the phone rang.
6. The kids were playing outside while we were inside.
7. I was driving home when I saw the accident.
8. She was studying for her exams all night.
9. The cat was sleeping on the couch.
10. They were discussing the project in the meeting.
11. I was working on my computer when the power went out.
12. We were eating breakfast when she arrived.
13. He was painting the house all weekend.
14. The children were building a sandcastle at the beach.
15. I was waiting for the bus when it started to snow.
16. She was listening to music while doing her homework.
17. They were having a barbecue when it started to rain.
18. He was fixing the car all afternoon.
19. We were planning our trip when we heard the news.
20. I was cleaning the house when she called.
21. She was taking a nap when I got home.
22. They were celebrating their anniversary last night.
23. He was fishing at the lake all day.
24. We were hiking in the mountains when it began to rain.
25. I was writing a letter when the doorbell rang.
26. She was dancing at the party all night.
27. They were having a meeting when I arrived.
28. He was gardening when it started to rain.
29. We were swimming in the pool when it began to thunder.
30. I was reading the newspaper when the lights went out.
31. She was cooking when the fire alarm went off.
32. They were playing basketball when it started to rain.
33. He was mowing the lawn when it began to rain.
34. We were eating dinner when the guests arrived.
35. I was brushing my teeth when the water stopped.
36. She was walking the dog when it started to rain.
37. They were camping in the forest when they saw a bear.
38. He was working late last night.
39. We were jogging in the park when it started to rain.
40. I was taking a nap when the phone rang.
41. She was knitting a sweater all evening.
42. They were playing chess when I visited.
43. He was playing the guitar at the concert.
44. We were having lunch when the news broke.
45. I was reading an article when you emailed me.
46. She was watching a movie when the power went out.
47. They were practicing their dance moves all afternoon.
48. He was writing a report when his computer crashed.
49. We were having a picnic when it started to rain.
50. I was cooking dinner when she came home.
51. She was waiting for the bus when I saw her.
52. They were playing video games when the electricity went out.
53. He was studying in the library all day.
54. We were discussing our plans when he interrupted.
55. I was taking a walk when I found the wallet.
56. She was playing the piano when I arrived.
57. They were shopping when the store closed.
58. He was baking a cake when the oven broke.
59. We were chatting online when the connection was lost.
60. I was washing the dishes when the sink clogged.
61. She was painting a picture when I visited her.
62. They were building a shed in the backyard.
63. He was exercising at the gym all morning.
64. We were preparing for the presentation all night.
65. I was learning Spanish when I met him.
66. She was brushing her hair when I called.
67. They were laughing at a joke when I walked in.
68. He was listening to the radio when the news came on.
69. We were enjoying the sunset when it started to rain.
70. I was reading a novel when the phone rang.
71. She was sewing a dress when I saw her.
72. They were dancing when the music stopped.
73. He was taking a picture when the battery died.
74. We were playing cards when the guests arrived.
75. I was surfing the internet when the computer froze.
76. She was feeding the baby when I visited.
77. They were studying for their test when I saw them.
78. He was making a sandwich when I walked in.
79. We were drinking coffee when the alarm went off.
80. I was listening to a podcast when you called.
81. She was preparing breakfast when I woke up.
82. They were hiking when it started to snow.
83. He was reading a magazine when the doorbell rang.
84. We were having a barbecue when it started to rain.
85. I was watching a documentary when you texted.
86. She was jogging when I saw her.
87. They were chatting when I arrived.
88. He was repairing the bike when it began to rain.
89. We were looking at the stars when it started to rain.
90. I was eating lunch when you called.
91. She was watering the plants when I saw her.
92. They were organizing the files when I came in.
93. He was fixing the roof when it started to rain.
94. We were taking photos when the camera broke.
95. I was writing a poem when the phone rang.
96. She was baking cookies when I visited.
97. They were watching the fireworks when I arrived.
98. He was drawing a picture when I walked in.
99. We were visiting the museum when it started to rain.
100. I was fishing when the storm hit.

Understanding the past continuous tense and practicing it through examples can help you describe past events more vividly and accurately. Keep practicing, and soon you’ll find it easier to use this tense in your daily conversations and writing.