Comparing The Present Continuous Tense

& Past Continuous Tense Form

When Do We Use the Past Continuous Tense?

1. Use the past continuous tense to express a continuing or ongoing action in the past.

Examples:

• I'm sorry. I wasn't listening. Could you repeat that?
• It was a beautiful morning. The sun was shining, and the birds were singing.

2. Use the past continuous tense to express an action that was interrupted by another action.

Examples:

• I was studying when you called.
• We were walking the dog when the rain started.

3. We can use the past continuous tense when two or more actions were happening simultaneously.

• The teacher was talking, and the students were taking notes.
• My daughter was driving to California, and I was reading the map.

4. Use the past continuous tense to express a change of mind.

Examples:

• I was planning to study music, but I decided to study Spanish instead.
• My husband was going to stop at the supermarket, but he forgot.

5. Use the past continuous tense to make a polite request.

Examples:

I was wondering if I could borrow you book for a minute.

We were wondering if you'd like to have lunch with us sometime.

Non-Continuous Verbs

Some verbs are not usually used in the continuous form:

• Abstract Verbs

to be, to want, to cost, to seem, to need, to care, to contain, to owe, to exist...

Possession Verbs

to possess, to own, to belong...

Emotion Verbs

to like, to love, to hate, to dislike, to fear, to envy, to mind...

Examples:

• He is needing help now. Not Correct
• He needs help now. Correct
• He is wanting a drink now. Not Correct
• He wants a drink now. Correct