This document discusses the uses of the past continuous tense in English. It is used to describe actions that were ongoing or in progress at a specific time in the past. Some examples of its uses given are to talk about background actions happening during another past event, parallel actions occurring simultaneously, and interrupted actions. The past continuous can also be used for polite questioning about past events.

1. USED TO

2. Used to / didn’t use to
We use “used to + verb ” to express a habit
or state in the past which no longer
happens or exists now.

3. He used to smoke but now he
doesn’t smoke anymore.

4. When I was young, I used to ride a
bike to school.

5. Computer used to be very
expensive. Now the prices are
more reasonable.

6. We haven't seen Bob very often
since he got a promotion. He's very
busy. He didn't use to be so
busy.

7. Affirmative
• S + used to + verb + o.
Examples :
I used to be a shop assistant.
She used to live in Italy.

8. Negative
• S + did not + use to + verb + o.
She didn’t use to work in a factory.
We didn’t use to have a car.

9. Interrogative
Did + s + use to + verb + O ?
Wh + did + s + use to + verb + o ?
Examples :
Did you use to live in London ?
Yes, I did No, I didn’t
Where did you use to work ?
I used to work in a shop.
What did you use to do ?
I used to be a nurse.

10. The past continuous tense

11. USAGE
- I was watching TV at 9 o’clock last night.
- They were working on the report at six.
- I was living in Japan in 2001.
( I lived there from 1999 to 2003)
1. The past continuous describes an action which
happens at a particurlar time in the past.
Hành động diễn ra tại thời điểm xác định trong quá
khứ

12. 2. We use the Past Continuous to talk about
actions or situations that lasted for a
period time in the past.
- We were studying during the recess
(kỳ nghỉ).
- Peter was sleeping during class.

13. 3. Interrupted action
3. The Past Continuous is often used when
one action in progress is interrupted by
another action in the past. We usually use
when or while to link these two sentences.
Example :
I met her when/ while we were working for the same
company. ( when = during the time)

14. *
*

15. 4. Background action
• We use the past continuous to describe
the background in a story written in the
past tense.
Example :
"The sun was shining and the birds were
singing as the elephant came out of the jungle.
The other animals were relaxing in the shade of
the trees, but the elephant moved very quickly.
She was looking for her baby, and she didn't
notice the hunter who was watching her
through his binoculars. When the shot rang out,
she was running towards the river..."

16. 5. Two or more parallel actions
We also use this tense to talk about two or
more activities happening at the same.

17. What
were
they
doing
last
night ?
George was reading a newspaper while
Julie was eating a sandwich and Frank was
watching TV.

18. 5. Polite questions
If we want to ask a polite question, we can
use the Past Continuous.
Ex 1 : I was wondering if you could open
the window.
Ex 2 : I was thinking you might help me
with this problem.