Past Progressive

 

Use the Past Progressive to indicate that a longer action in the past was interrupted. The interruption is usually a shorter action in the Simple Past.

Remember this can be a real interruption or just an interruption in time.

Examples:

·       I was watching TV when she called.

·       When the phone rang, she was writing a letter.

·       While we were having the picnic, it started to rain.

FORM

[was/were + present participle]

Practice: Change the form of the verb in past progressive:

·       What ________(BE) you_______ (DO)when the earthquake started?

·       I __________(BE/ LISTEN)to my iPod, so I didn't hear the fire alarm.

·       While John _________(BE/ SLEEP)last night, someone stole his car.

·       Sammy_____________ (BE/ WAIT) for us when we got off the plane.

·       While I ________________(BE/ WRITE)the email, when the computer suddenly went off.

·       A: What _________(BE) you________ (DO) when you broke your leg?

The Past Progressive is interrupted by a shorter action in the Simple Past. However, you can also use a specific time as an interruption.

Examples:

•Last night at 6 PM, I was eating dinner.

•At midnight, we were still driving through the desert.

•Yesterday at this time, I was sitting at my desk at work.