Level A2

Past Continuous

Was or were plus -ing shows an action going on in the past: I was reading, they were playing. I, he, she and it take was; you, we and they take were. Often it is the middle of an action when something else happens.

I was reading when you called.

Look: I was reading when you called. Reading was going on, and then the phone rang.

Forms

I was reading. — now am, in the past was
They were playing. — you, we and they take were
I was reading when you called. — the middle of an action, when something else happens

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A common mistake

Wrong: I reading a book when you called.

Right: I was reading a book when you called.

Many people say I reading a book when you called, but the -ing form needs was or were in front. We say: I was reading a book when you called.

More examples

She was cooking dinner at six o'clock.

At a time in the past, the action was going on: She was cooking dinner at six o'clock.

We were watching TV when the lights went out.

We and they take were: We were watching TV when the lights went out.