Past continuous |
| Actions in progress at a particular moment in the past |
Were you chatting to Matt online at midnight last night? |
| Actions in progress around a particular moment in the past |
At the turn of the twentieth century, many discoveries were being made in physics and other sciences. |
| Temporary situations and series of actions in the past |
At the time, I was working for a large software company in California. |
| Changing and developing situations in the past |
I was getting frustrated with my internet provider so I decided to change. |
| Annoying or amusing past habits (usually with a/ways) |
When she was young, Tina was always taking things apart to see how they worked. |
| Background information in a story |
It was raining outside and people were making their way home after work. |
| Actions in progress over a period of time |
Were you writing e-mails all yesterday morning? |
| Two actions in progress at the same time |
While I was playing a computer game, my brother was doing his homework. |
| The present and the future (in conditional sentences) (see Unit 11 for more information) |
Would you be happier if you were studying computer science? |
| The present and the future (after wish, it's time, would rather, etc) (see Unit 13 for more information) |
I wish we were going to the computer fair next weekend. |
