Past continuous

We use the past continuous to talk about the past:

• For something which happened at the same time as another event/action. The action that took most time will take a continuous form.
  Example: The children were doing their homework, when dad got home.

• For something that happened before and after a specific time.
  Example: It was eight o'clock. I was driving to work.

• For something that happened again and again; also to express annoyance.
  Example: I was practising every day, three times a day.

• With verbs which show change or growth.
  Example: His French was improving.

Use the past continuous to indicate that someone was doing something in the past or that something was going on at some point in the past. The past continuous is formed using was/were + present participle (verb ='-ing').

Examples

• I was reading a book.
• Lisa was dancing with Jake.
• They were cleaning the car.

You can also use the past continuous in question and negative sentences: