Past Continuous in Stories

What are we learning today?

You will learn to tell accident stories with the past continuous and the past simple.

Explanation

Use the past continuous for a longer action in progress. Make it with was or were and a verb with -ing.

• Use the past simple for the short action that happened.
• Use while before the past continuous.
• Use when before the past simple.
• Negative: wasn't or weren't + verb with -ing.
• Question: "Were you studying?" Answer: "Yes, I was."

Examples

1. While Dad was moving the wardrobe, he trapped his finger.
2. She was cooking when she touched something hot.
3. I was riding my bike when I fell off.

Remember!

• Long action: was or were + -ing.
• Short action: past simple.

Check yourself

1. Complete: "While I ___ (climb) a tree, I fell."
2. Write the negative: "They were running."