1. The Past Continuous Tense Для студентов 1 курса Физико - Технического Института

2. Formation of the affirmative forms We form the Past Continuous Tense with the forms of the auxiliary (вспомогательный) verb to be (was/were) and the main verb with the ing-suffix (P1). The form was is for pronouns “I/he/she/it”. The form were is for pronouns “we/you/they” → I/he/she was sitting and watching TV when mother phoned. They/we/you were reading the book at the moment.

3. Formation of the Interrogative and Negative Forms In the interrogative forms we put the forms of the auxiliary (вспомогательный) verb “to be (was/were)” in front of the main verb with the ing-suffix (P1): Was he reading anything at the moment? What was happening at that moment?; Were they watching TV when the doorbell rang? In the negative forms we put the negative particle “not” after the forms of the verb “to be (was/were)”: I wasn’t doing anything. I was having a rest.

4. The use of the Past Continuous Tense We use the Past Continuous Tense: a) for an action which was in progress at a stated time in the past. We don’t know when the action started or finished; b) for a past action which was in progress when another action interrupted it. Remember: we use the Past Simple Tense for a shorter action (that interrupted another action) and the Past Continuous Tense for a longer action; c) for two or more actions which were happening at the same time in the past: d) for giving the so called background (фоновую) information in the story.

5. Examples of the use of the Past Continuous Tense At 3 o’clock yesterday afternoon Mike and his father were washing their car. We were having a class of mathematics when it began raining; The Sun was shining and the birds were singing. An old man was walking in the yard.

6. Time expressions Time expressions used with the Past Continuous Tense include: while, when, as, all day (morning, evening, night, etc.); when/while/as + The Past Continuous Tense (longer action); when + The Past Simple Tense (shorter action)

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