This document provides information about using the past continuous tense in English. It explains that the past continuous is used to talk about actions that were in progress at a specific time in the past. It gives examples of forming the past continuous using "was/were + verb+ing" and asking questions in the past continuous. It also covers spelling rules for verbs ending in consonant-vowel-consonant or verbs ending in "e". Finally, it distinguishes between using the past simple and past continuous, noting that the past simple is used for actions that happened at a point in time, while the past continuous describes background or ongoing actions.

1. PAST CONTINUOUS BY M. LUISA GUZMÁN

2. We use the past continuous to talk about actions in progress at a certain time in the past. In 1998, we were living in the USA. At four o’clock yesterday afternoon, I was sitting in a Maths lesson. Last night the television was on, but I wasn’t watching it.

3. 2) The past continuous is formed with: I was reading a book. I wasn’t enjoying it. You were running . You weren’t swimming . Andy was listening to the radio Andy wasn’t watching television. past simple of be + verb + ing.

4. 3) The question is formed with: Was James running ? Yes, he was / No, he wasn’t Were you parents having lunch? Yes, they were / No, they weren’t What were you studying ? Why was she crying ? the past simple of be + subject + verb + ing.

5. 4. Spelling Rules: Verbs ending in CAC (consonant-vowel- consonant) double the last consonant. Swim Swimming. Run Running. Verbs ending in –e drop the –e and add –ing. Have Having. Write Writing. Dance Dancing.

6. PAST CONTINUOUS VS PAST SIMPLE

7. When we talk about the past we use the past simple for actions that happened at one particular time. We use the past continuous for background actions. When my friend arrived, I was having lunch. He was cycling very fast and he had an accident. What did you say? I wasn’t listening .

8. We often use “when” with the past simple. We often use “while” with the past continuous.