50 Examples of Sentences in the Past Continuous in English and Spanish

Past continuous

The continuous past (past continuous) is a verb tense that is used to express actions that began and developed in the past. It differs from present continuous (present continuous) because in the present continuous the action started in the past but continues in the present.

Example:

• Past continuous: John had been living in that house for five years, but he decided to move. / John had been living in that house for five years, but he decided to move.
• Present continuous: John has been living in that house for five years, but now he decides to move. / John has been living in that house for five years, but now he decides to move.

In the first case, John no longer lives in the house: the move happened in the past. In the second case, John continues to live in the house: the move has not yet happened.

The continuous verb tenses they are used for actions that have a certain duration, and in some cases they are in contrast to a shorter action. In the example, living in the house (past continuous) is the action that lasts several years and is in contrast to the action of making the decision, which is shorter.

Structure

The past continuous is formed with the auxiliary verb to be in the past tense (was / were) together with the gerund of the main verb.

The gerund of almost all verbs is the Infinitive verb (without "to") plus the ending -ing, with some specifications:

• When the infinitive ends in a consonant preceded by a single vowel, the final consonant is doubled: begin, beginning
• When the infinitive ends in -e mute (not pronounced), it is removed: write, writing
• When the infinitive ends in –ie, the ending is replaced by –y before adding –ing: tie, tying

Affirmation

The structure of the claim is:

• Subject + was / were + gerund (+ complement)

They were going to the party. / They were going to the party.

Denial

The structure of the negation is:

• Subject + was / were + not + gerund (+ complement)

They were not going to the party. / They weren't going to the party.

Alternative:

We weren't going to the party.

Question

The structure of the interrogation is:

• Was / were + subject + gerund (+ complement)

Are they going to the party? / Were they going to the party?

Examples of sentences in the past continuous

1. She was forgetting she was angry but he started a fight. / She was forgetting that she was angry but he started a fight.
2. I met my new employer when we were traveling from Australia. / I met my new employer when we were traveling from Australia.
3. They were improving the service. / They were improving the service.
4. He was trying to change their mind. / He was trying to get them to change their minds.
5. He wasn’t paying enough. / He wasn't paying enough.
6. We were looking for new restaurants. / We were looking for new restaurants.
7. Was he telling the truth? / Was he telling the truth?
8. He wasn't thinking straight. / He wasn't thinking clearly.
9. It was raining so I decided to stay home. / It was raining so I decided to stay home.
10. We weren’t trying to break it. / We weren't trying to break it.
11. We were talking but she had to hang up. / We were talking but she had to cut.
12. We were still finishing dessert when they brought the bill. / We were still finishing dessert when the check was brought in.
13. Was he behaving well? / Was he behaving well?
14. I bought this painting when we were visiting Florida. / I bought this painting when we were visiting Florida.
15. We were not looking for anything special. / We weren't looking for anything special.
16. We were watching a movie, that’s why I didn’t pick up the phone. / We were watching a movie, so I didn't answer the phone.
17. We were beginning to lose hope but we found a solution. / We had started to lose faith, but we found a solution.
18. I was looking for my keys. / I was looking for my keys.
19. We were not getting to an agreement. / We were not reaching an agreement.
20. We were paying too much for the service. / We were paying too much for the service.
21. Are they having fun? / Were they having fun?
22. He was making new friends but he had to go to another school. / He was making new friends but had to go to another school.
23. I was only learning to cook back then, I wasn’t a professional cook yet. / I was just learning how to cook at the time, I was not yet a professional cook.
24. We were walking in the park. / We were walking on the parquet.
25. We were enjoying the party. / We were enjoying the party.
26. He was tasking the wines when I arrived. / He was tasting the wines when I arrived.
27. I wasn't touching anything. / I wasn't touching anything.
28. They were practicing violin. / They were practicing violin.
29. I was working in a small company when my current boss offered to hire me. / I was working in a small company when my current boss offered to hire me.
30. They were talking for hours. / They were talking for hours.
31. He was helping me with the car. / He was helping me with the car.
32. They were watching a horror movie. / They were watching a horror movie.
33. I was looking for my dog. / I was looking for my dog.
34. Schientist were struggling with the problem / The scientists were dealing with the problem.
35. The children were playing in the pool / The children were playing in the pool.
36. Are you watching a movie? / Were you watching a movie?
37. Was he doing something useful? / Was he doing something useful?
38. They were not getting near the answer. / They weren't getting close to the answer.
39. He was already becoming a famous doctor in his twenties. / He was already becoming a famous doctor in his early twenties.
40. She was not cooking for the party. / He wasn't cooking for the party.
41. Was the printer working this morning? / Was the printer working this morning?
42. He was dating Sally for years. / He was dating Sally for years.
43. He wasn’t helping. / He wasn't helping.
44. Are you studying for the test? / Were you studying for the exam?
45. He was teaching a new game to his friends / he was teaching a new game to his friends.
46. I wasn't drinking enough water. / He wasn't drinking enough water.
47. He wasn’t worrying at all. / He wasn't caring at all.
48. Are they asking for me? / Were they asking about me?
49. I wasn't hearing anything. / I wasn't hearing anything.
50. Things were changing very fast. / Things were changing very fast.

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