📝 Created by: El Arby Ameur | 📅 August 2026 | 🌐 lesson.tn
📖 Estimated reading time: 8 minutes | Word count: ~1200 words
📖 Past Continuous Rules: Was/Were + -ing, When vs While
Level: A2-B1 | Focus: Form, When vs While, Usage
Grammar
Tenses
past continuous
rules
grammar
1. The Formula
Subject + was/were + verb-ing
Use the correct past form of "to be" (was/were) and add -ing to the main verb!
2. When to Use Past Continuous
- Actions at a specific past time: At 8 PM, I was eating dinner.
- Interrupted actions: I was sleeping when you called.
- Two simultaneous actions: While I was cooking, she was cleaning.
- Background description: The sun was shining.
3. When vs While
• When + past simple (short action): I was sleeping when you called.
• While + past continuous (long action): While I was sleeping, you called.