UNIT 10
Simple Past
& Past Continuous
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Using Past Continuous
We use simple past to show an action started and finished in the past.
Yesterday, I watched a movie.
Past continuous is used to show a particular moment of a past action.
Three rules:
1. Interrupted action in the past
 Sally was studying when her mother came home.
2. Specific timeframe of a past action
 We were fishing last weekend.
3. Parallel actions in the past
 I was trying to sleep while my dog just kept barking.
RULE 1: “Interrupted Action In The Past”
oWhen an action is already happening
Present
then a new action starts.
oSubject 1 + past tense helping verb + -ing verb, + WHEN
The+men
were
home,
Subject
2 + walking
simple past
tense verb.
the man was walking home, While
The
when it started to rain.
oWHEN
or WHILE
can be put in front of New
the sentence.
Action
already
happening.
action
RULE 2: “Specific Timeframe Of A Past Action”
Present
When an action happened at an a specific time in the past.
Subject + past tense helping verb + ing verb
+ a timeframe of the past.
we were
We
were camping.
camping
Over
the ago.
holiday,
yesterday.
last
2
over
weeks
weekend.
the
holiday.
When the timeframe is a specific time + AT before the time.
She
studying
she was studying.
2:00 AM.
4:00
PM
at
AM,last Tuesday.
At 6:00
The timeframe can also be said before the action.
RULE 3: “Parallel Past Actions”
oWhen two actions happen at
the same time.
Subject 1 + past tense helping verb + ing verb
+ WHILE +
Subject 2 + past tense helping verb + ing verb
The students were playing
on their phones while the
teacher was teaching.
Present
RULE 3: “Parallel Past Actions”
oWhen two actions happen at
the same time.
Subject 1 + past tense helping verb + ing verb
+ WHILE +
tense helping verb + ing verb
Subject 2 + past participle
The students were playing
on their phones while the
was teaching.
teacher taught.
Present
RULE 3: PARALLEL PAST ACTIONS
oWhen two actions happen at
the same.
Present
One subject can also be doing two actions.
Subject 1 + past tense helping verb + ing verb
+ AND +
+ ing verb
Pooh Bear was walking and eating.
RULE 3: PARALLEL PAST ACTIONS
oWhen two actions happen at
the same.
Present
One subject can also be doing two actions.
Subject 1 + past participle
tense helping
+ AND
verb++past
ingparticiple
verb
+ AND +
+ ing verb
walking
Pooh Bear was
walked
ate. eating.
and and