Past continuous

Past Continuous

Form

Positive Question Negative
IHeSheIt was working. Was Ihesheit working? IHeSheIt was not (wasn’t) working.
We YouThey were Were we youthey We YouThey were not (weren’t)


Exercise 1

Look at these sentences and answer the questions by choosing A or B:

1. When I saw them, they were playing football.
Which happened first?
A I saw them B they were playing football
2. When she telephoned, I was having a bath.
Which happened first?

A the telephone call B the bath
3 They were watching television when I visited them.
Which happened first?
A they were watching television B I visited them
4 I was walking into the house when I heard the noise.
Which happened first?
A I was walking into the house B I heard the noise
5 I walked into the house when I heard the noise.
Which happened first?
A I walked into the house B I heard the noise
6 We left the party when the police arrived
Which happened first?
A We left the party B the police arrived
7 We were leaving the party when the police arrived.
Which happened first?
A We were leaving the party B the police arrived
8 I made the beds when Joan an Ian got here.
Which happened first?
A I made the beds B Joan and Ian got here.

9 I was making the beds when Joan and Ian got there.
Which happened first?
A I was making the beds B Joan and Ian got here
10 I was getting into my car when I heard the shot.
Which happened first?
A I was getting into my car B I heard the shot

Exercise 2

Complete these sentences by putting the verbs into the past continuous or the past simple:

1 I (watch) television when the phone rang.
2 When the ambulance came we (carry) him into it.
3 She (drive) her car when she suddenly felt ill.
4 When he saw me he (fall) off the wall.
5 We (listen) to the radio when it suddenly stopped working.
6 Why (you play) cards when he walked into the office?
7 (they thank) you when you gave them the money?
8 (you smoke) when you turned on the gas?

9 When I arrived, they (say) hello but continued working.
10 When I got to the hospital, she (sit) in the waiting room.

Past Simple and Past Continuous: check

Exercise 3

Write did, was or were to complete the sentences:

1 I …n’t like it.
2 They … enjoying themselves.
3 … you have a good time?
4 What time … you leave?
5 … he staying in a hotel
6 I …n’t eating.
7 What … you do then?
8 Why … they sitting there?
9 What … they doing?
10 What … you say?
11 Why … he working late last night?
12 They …n’t playing cards.
13 She …n’t understand.
14 I …n’t having a bath.
15 What … the dog eating?
16 They …n’t buy anything.
17 … you like the film?
18 Why …n’t you go to school?

19 … you talking to somebody?
20 … they write you a letter?

Past simple and Past Continuous: short answers

‘Were you working when I phoned you last night?’ ‘Yes, I was.’
‘Did Mary ask you to work late?’ ‘No, she didn’t.’

Form

Past Simple Past Continuous
Subject+did Subject + was/were
Yes,No, Ihesheitweyou they did.didn’t. Yes,No, Ihesheit was.wasn't.
we youthey were.weren't.

• The short answer to ‘Did you like it?’ is ‘Yes, I did.’ (NOT Yes, I liked.)

Exercise 4

Someone is asking you questions. Write the short answers:

1 ‘Were you sitting here yesterday?’ ‘No, …
2 ‘Did she see the accident?’ ‘Yes, …
3 ‘Did you leave the hotel last night?’ ‘No, …
4 ‘W as he working when you arrived?’ ‘Yes, …

5 ‘Were they eating when you phoned?’ ‘Yes, …
6 ‘Did your father buy another car?’ ‘No, …
7 ‘Did you see that letter for you?’ ‘Yes, …
8 ‘Were your brothers sleeping when you left?’ ‘Yes, …
9 ‘You didn’t see the accident, then?’ ‘No, …
10 ‘Weren’t they waiting for you?’ ‘No, …
11 ‘Did you like the present?’ ‘Yes, …
12 ‘Did the children have a good time?’ ‘Yes, …
13 ‘Was Susan driving when you saw here?’ ‘No, …
14 ‘Did he speak to you?’ ‘Yes, …
15 ‘Did you do the washing-up? ‘Yes, …
16 ‘Were you doing your homework when I phoned?’ ‘Yes, …
17 ‘Was your father washing the car?’ ‘Yes, …
18 ‘Did you understand what he was saying?’ ‘No, …
19 ‘Was she leaving when you got there?’ ‘Yes, …
20 ‘Did your sister lose her purse yesterday?’ ‘Yes, …