Past Continuous

Article excerpt · target grammar marked

In India, a tourist was eating a meal at a family home. She was using her left hand to pick up food. Her host was watching quietly. In South Korea, a group of students was taking photos at a wedding ceremony when a guest walked over and asked them to stop.

Grammar Reference · Past Continuous

Past continuous — form

She was eating with her left hand. — was/were + verb + -ing

Background action

People were praying when he walked in. — continuous sets the scene

Interrupted action

They were taking photos when a guest asked them to stop. — past simple cuts in

Common error

He was understood the rule. ✗ → He understood the rule. ✓ — stative verbs: no -ing

01Exercise 1 — Form · Write the Correct Form

Past Continuous

1.She (eat) with her left hand when her host looked up.

2.The students (take) photos when a guest asked them to stop.

3.He (wear) his shoes when he walked into the temple.

4.People (pray) inside the shrine when the tourists arrived.

5.While she (navigate) the unfamiliar city, she accidentally entered a private garden.

6.The local guide (explain) the custom when one visitor interrupted him.

02Exercise 2 — Transform

rewrite with the new structure

1.She ate with her left hand. Her host noticed.

2.They took photos. A guest walked over.

3.He wore his shoes. He entered the shrine.

4.The guide explained the custom. A tourist interrupted.

5.She looked for the exit. She bumped into a local.

6.They navigated the market. The ceremony started.

03Exercise 3 — About You

in your notebook

Personalise: complete five sentences about yourself using the target grammar.

Past Continuous01EnglishPlans.com