Past Continuous Worksheets for ESL Students

The past continuous and continuous forms, in general, are used with action verbs such as talk, drive, play, etc. The  continuous form  is not used with stative verbs such as be, seem, taste, etc. Some  stative verbs  can be used as  action verbs  so there are some exceptions. For example, smell - It smelled good. (stative verb) / He was smelling the roses when she walked by the window  (action verb.)​ Positive Form Subject to be (was, were) present participle (ing form of verb) objects: Jane was typing the letter when he walked into the room.Theyre were discussing the problem at 11. Past Continuous Negative Form Subject to be (was, were) not verb objects Jack wasnt watching TV. He was cooking dinner.We werent wasting time! We were working hard. Past Continuous Question Form (Question Word) to be (was, were) subject present participle (ing form of verb)? What were you doing at seven oclock?Was Jennifer paying attention during the meeting? Past Continuous Usage The past continuous is used to talk about what was happening at a  specific  moment in the past. Alex was knitting a sweater at 10:30 yesterday morning.My friends were waiting for me at nine oclock. The past continuous is also  often used together with the past simple to express what was happening when something important occurred. They were working on the project when she burst into the room.I was thinking about him when the telephone rang. Guess who it was?! Important Time Expressions These time expressions are commonly used with the past continuous to express a  past action  occurring at a specific moment in the past. At/At that Moment At and at that moment refer to a specific point of time in the past. These two expressions are often used with the past continuous. It is more common to use the past simple to speak in general, but if you want to express what was happening at a precise moment of time in the past, use the past continuous. She was having breakfast at 6.45 this morning.We were working on his request at 10 pm.Alan wasnt meeting with Tom at 9. He was meeting with Dennis. When/As When is used with the past simple to express an important event that occurred in the past. The past continuous is used to express what was happening at that moment. They were getting ready when he came home.Alice wasnt thinking when she said that.What were you doing when he asked the question? While While is used with the past continuous to express something that was happening at the same moment in time that something else was occurring. During During is used with a noun or a noun phrase to express an event during which something was happening. I was typing while he was dictating.She wasnt paying attention during the meeting.Jackson was working while she was having a good time. Past Continuous Worksheet 1 Conjugate the verb in parentheses in the past continuous tense. In the case of questions, use the indicated subject as well. What _____ (you do) when he arrived?She _____ (watch) TV at two oclock.They _____ (not sleep) at five oclock.Peter _____ (work) when I telephoned.Tim _____ (study) German while they were studying French.I _____ (not pay attention) during the presentation._____ (Brian talk) during the lesson?We _____ (not cook) when he walked in the door.Jason _____ (play) the piano at three oclock yesterday afternoon.When _____ (Howard give) the presentation exactly?Andrea _____ (not expect) you to arrive so early!What _____ (you think) when you said that?!_____ (she do) the housework when you telephoned?Carlos _____ (drink) tea when I walked into the room.They _____ (meet) with Smith and Co at exactly 2.35 pm.My cousin _____ (not have) a good time when I arrived.They _____ (discuss) the issue when she telephoned._____ (they work) in the garden when you arrived?She _____ (sleep) so he entered the room softly.They _____ (not take) notes during the presentation, but paying attention to every word. Past Continuous Worksheet 2 Choose the correct time expression used with the past continuous tense. What were you doing (while/during) the meeting?Tim was finishing the report (in/at) five oclock.They were discussing the problem (when/at) I walked into the room.Jackson wasnt listening (while/during) he was explaining the situation.Was Alice paying attention (while/during) the presentation?They were having a quiet breakfast (this/at) morning when he arrived.What were they doing (when/in) that happened?Sheila was playing the piano (while/during) he was working on the computer.I was working at the computer (at/on) seven oclock this morning.Alex wasnt playing golf (this/at) morning. He was working.What were they doing (in/at) four oclock?She was working quietly (when/for) he opened the door.Peter wasnt doing the housework (that/yesterday) morning. He was working in the garden.Where were they sleeping (at/when) he got home last night?Jason was thinking about the problem (when/at) he asked for an answer.Our teacher was explaining math (from/when) he burst into the room with the news.Dilb ert was working at the computer (on/at) four oclock this morning!Were they listening (as/at) he asked the question?She wasnt working (when/in) he came into the office.They werent thinking about that (at/when) they made the decision. Answers Worksheet 1 were you doingwas watchingwerent sleepingwas workingwas studyingwasnt paying attentionwas Brian talkingwerent cookingwas playingwas Howard givingwasnt expectingwere you thinkingWas she doingwas drinkingwere meetingwasnt havingwere discussingWere they workingwas sleepingwerent taking Answers Worksheet 2 duringatwhenwhileduringthiswhenwhileatthisatwhenyesterdaywhenwhenwhenataswhenwhen