In English we use the past continuous to talk about an action taking place during a period of time in the past. We usually use it with past simple.
The table below shows the different forms of past continuous :
Example verb : study | I / He / She / It | You / We / They |
Positive | ... was studying. | ... were studying. |
Negative | ... wasn't studying. | ... weren't studying. |
Questions | Was ... studying? | Were ... studying? |
Short answers | Yes, ... was. / No, ... wasn't. | Yes, ... were. / No, ... weren't. |
In English we use the past continuous to show that a longer action in the past was interrupted. The interruption is usually a shorter action in the past simple. This can be a real interruption or just an interruption in time.
Past Continuous Examples Sentences :
Positive Examples of Past Continuous :
Negative Examples of Past Continuous :
Question Examples of Past Continuous :
In English we can also use a specific time as an interruption.
Examples Sentences :
When you use the past continuous with two actions in the same sentence, it means that both actions were happening at the same time. The actions are parallel.
Examples Sentences :
Past continuous example sentences | |
---|---|
Thank god you weren't looking for red wine! | !الحمد لله أنكِ لم تكونى تنظرين الى نبيذ أحمر |
It sounds like she was having a mental breakdown. | .يبدو وأنها كانت في حالة إنهيار عصبي |
I ran inside to check what was happening... | ...ركضت إلى الداخل لأري ماذا كان يحدث |
The other day, you complained about how loud I was snoring. | .في البارحة، كنت تشتكي من كيف أنني أقوم بالشخير بصوت عالي |
I was planning on stirfrying some red peppers and mushrooms! | !كنت أخطط لقلى بعض الفليلفة الحمراء و المشروم |
When I came, you were at the bar getting yourself a beer. | .عندما أتيت كنت انت عند البار, تشترى لنفسك جعة |
Oh, I see, she was talking about it last night! | !أوه، أتفهم ذلك، لقد كانت تتحدث عن هذا الليلة الماضية |
I was wondering where that chorizo smell was coming from. | .كنت أتسائل من اين تأتى رائحة الكوريزو |
I was also training new workers how to make coffee. | .كنت أيضاً اقوم بتدريب العمال الجدد على كيفية عمل القهوة |
Okay, long story short, I was cooking some chips last night. | .حسنًا، ملخص القصة الطويلة، كنت أقوم بطهي بعض الرقائق الليلة الماضية |
She was in the kitchen, too, preparing something to cook. | .كانت هي في المطبخ، كذلك، تُجهز شيئًا لكي تطهوه |
Noone was paying attention to your "precious" bag. | .لم يكن هناك أى حد يعير حقيبتك "الغالية" أى إهتمام |
I was planning on cooking some meat, originally. | .كنت أخطط لطهى بعض اللحم فى الأصل |
I hope you weren't looking for something urgently! | !أتمنى انكِ لم تكونين تبحثين عن شيء عاجل |
That's what I was planning. | .هذا ما كنت أخطط له |
How did you know you were knocking on the right door? | كيف علمتِ أنكِ كنتِ تطرقين على الباب الصحيح؟ |
Yeah, it wasn't only Pogo, she was complaining about everything! | !أجل، لم يكن بوجو وحسب، إنها كانت تشتكي من كل شيء |
I think she definitely understood I was lying! | !أعتقد أنها بالتأكيد فهمت أنني كنت أكذب |
Yes, I already made myself a coffee while you were sleeping. | .نعم، لقد قمت بعمل قهوة لنفسى بينما كنت انت نائماً |
Alright Nick, what were you saying? | حسنًا نيك، ماذا كنت تقول؟ |