Form of the Past Progressive

How do we form the Past Progressive?

We use a form of to be (was or were), the infinitive of the verb and the ending –ing.

to be (was or were) + infinitive + -ing

PAST CONTINUOUS OR PROGRESSIVE	was/were +  Ving	Examples:
Affirmative sentence	S + V(be) +  V(ing) + C.	At the time of the robbery, they were staying with my parents.
Negative sentence	S + V(be) +  not + V(ing) + C.	My daughter  was not going shopping  when you called me. She…
Yes/no question	V(be) +  S +  V(ing) + C.	Was your head aching again?
Information question	IW +  V(be) +  S +  V(ing) + C?	Where were your parents driving when  I arrived?

1. Affirmative sentences in the Past Progressive

• I was playing football.
• You were playing football.
• He was playing football.
• She was playing football.
• It was playing football.
• We were playing football.
• You were playing football.
• They were playing football.

► Use was with I, he, she, it – and were with all other pronouns.

2. Negative sentences in the Past Progressive

• I was not playing football.
• You were not playing football.
• He was not playing football.
• She was not playing football.
• It was not playing football.
• We were not playing football.
• You were not playing football.
• They were not playing football.

Let's practice

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