1. Primary Longman Elect
5B Chapter 5
Past continuous tense
when

2. was / were + ing Past continuous tense
We use the past continuous tense to show that an action continued for a period of time in the past.
It is formed by:
was / were + ing

3. Past continuous tense
We use the past continuous tense to show that an action continued for a period of time in the past.
NOW
Tim was doing his homework
from 5:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m.
5:00 p.m.
7:00 p.m.
8:00 p.m.

4. Past continuous tense What were you doing at 5:30 p.m.?
I was doing my homework.

5. Past continuous tense What was Tim doing at 5:30 p.m.?
He was doing his homework.

6. when
We sometimes use the past continuous tense and the past tense for two different actions in the same sentence.
We use the past continuous tense for the longer action. We use the past tense for the shorter action.
We use when to link the two actions together.

7. when Tom was doing his homework when Mum came home.
Tim was doing his homework
from 5:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m.
NOW
5:00 p.m.
7:00 p.m.
8:00 p.m.
Mum came home at 6:30 p.m.
We use the past continuous tense for the longer action.
Tom was doing his homework when Mum came home.
We use the past tense for the shorter action.

8. Key structure What were you doing at that time? I was talking
on the phone.
We use the past continuous tense for actions that continued for a period of time in the past.
The police were chasing the robber
when
the robber fired his gun.
We use when to link a longer action and a shorter action in the past.

9. Practice Peter __________________ when he __________________ .
Peter / play football
NOW
4:00 p.m.
5:00 p.m.
5:30 p.m.
Peter / break his leg
Peter __________________ when he __________________ .
was playing football
broke his leg

10. My brother and I / have breakfast
Practice
My brother and I / have breakfast
NOW
7:00 a.m.
7:30 a.m.
8:00 a.m.
the phone / ring
______________________________
when _________________________ .
My brother and I were having breakfast
the phone rang

11. Practice _____________________________ _____________________________
Mum / watch TV
NOW
10:00 a.m.
10:45 a.m.
11:00 a.m.
the baby / wake up
_____________________________ _____________________________
Mum was watching TV when the baby
woke up.

12. Sue and her parents / hiking
Practice
Sue and her parents / hiking
NOW
10:00 a.m.
10:45 a.m.
11:00 a.m.
the fire / start
_____________________________ _____________________________
Sue and her parents were hiking when
the fire started.

13. The End