Use of the Past Progressive

1.1. actions were in progress at a special time in the past

Peter was reading a book yesterday evening.

1.2. two actions were happening at the same time (the actions do not influence each other)

Anne was writing a letter while Steve was reading the New York Times.

1.3. together with Simple Past

While we were sitting at the breakfast table, the telephone rang.

1.4. repeated actions irritating the speaker (with always, constantly, forever)

Andrew was always coming late.

2. Signal words

while

3. Form

to be (was, were) + infinitive + -ing

4. Examples

4.1. Affirmative sentences in the Past Progressive

Long forms	Contracted forms
I was playing football.	not possible
You were playing football.
He was playing football.

4

.2. Negative sentences in the Past Progressive

Long forms	Contracted forms
I was not playing football.	I wasn't playing football.
You were not playing football.	You weren't playing football.
He was not playing football.	He wasn't playing football.

4.3. Questions in the Past Progressive

Long forms	Contracted forms
Was I playing football?	not possible
Were you playing football?
Was he playing football?

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