The past continuous

1. The past continuous
EF Pre-intermediate
2B

2. Use the past continuous …
• … to describe an action in progress at a specific
moment in the past.
A. What were you doing at 11 o’clock last night?
B. I was sleeping
• … to describe the situation at the beginning of a
story or narrative.
When I woke up that morning it was raining, so I took
my umbrella and got ready for a long, weary
journey.

3. • You can use the Past Continuous to describe what
was happening when a photo was taken.
My dad took this photo when I was 3 years old. That
summer we were staying in a luxurious hotel in
Costa del Sol. My mum was waving her hand at
me and singing ‘cinco lobitos’. I was looking at her
and laughing …
• Detectives use the Past Continuous when
questioning a suspect …
Detective: what were you doing when Ms. Taylor
was murdered?
Suspect: Nothing special. I was watching TV. I was
home alone.