Unit 6. Past continuous (I was doing)

We use the past continuous to say that somebody was in the middle of doing something at a certain time. The action or situation had already started before this time but had not finished.

• This time last year I was living in Brazil.
• What were you doing at 10 o'clock last night?
• I waved to her but she wasn't looking.

Compare the past continuous (I was doing) and past simple (I did)

Past continuous (in the middle of an action) - I was walking home when I met Dave.   (= in the middle of walking home) - Ann was watching television when the phone rang.

Past simple (complete action) - I walked home after the party last night.   (= all the way, completely) - Ann watched television a lot when she was ill last year.

We often use the past simple and the past continuous together to say that something happened in the middle of something else:

• Tome burnt his hand when he was cooking the dinner.
• I saw you in the park yesterday, You were sitting on the grass and reading a book.

but we use the past simple to say that one thing happend after another.

• I was walking along the road when I saw Dave. So I stopped and we had a chat.

There are some verbs (for example, know/want/believe) that are not normally used in the continuous

• We were good friend. We knew each other well. (not 'we were knowing')
• I was enjoying the party but Chris wanted to go home. (not 'was wanting')