Past Continuous Tense with 100 Practical Examples

Past Continuous Tense

The Past Continuous Tense (also called the Past Progressive Tense) is used to describe actions that were ongoing or happening at a specific time in the past. It often emphasizes the duration or continuous nature of the past action.

A teacher helping a student with grammar worksheets showing sentences like “She was reading” and “They were playing,” along with a timeline showing past actions in progress
The past continuous tense describes actions that were ongoing at a specific moment in the past. Formed with “was/were” + verb-ing, it helps show background activity, interrupted actions, and atmosphere. These 100 examples bring the tense to life with real situations.

Structure:

  • Affirmative: Subject + was/were + verb + ing
    • Example: She was reading a book.
  • Negative: Subject + was/were + not + verb + ing
    • Example: They were not playing football.
  • Interrogative: Was/Were + subject + verb + ing?
    • Example: Were you watching TV?

100 Examples of Past Continuous Tense

1. Affirmative Sentences (Ongoing actions in the past):

  1. I was reading a novel last night.
  2. She was cooking dinner when I arrived.
  3. They were playing soccer in the park.
  4. He was working on his project all afternoon.
  5. We were watching a movie at 7 PM.
  6. I was listening to music while studying.
  7. She was painting a picture yesterday.
  8. They were swimming in the pool.
  9. He was driving to work at 8 AM.
  10. We were having dinner when the phone rang.
  11. I was writing a letter to my friend.
  12. She was dancing at the party last night.
  13. They were waiting for the bus when it started raining.
  14. He was fixing his bike yesterday afternoon.
  15. We were studying for the exam all evening.
  16. I was watching TV when the power went out.
  17. She was playing the piano during the concert.
  18. They were talking about their holiday plans.
  19. He was reading the newspaper when I called.
  20. We were decorating the house for the party.
  21. I was sleeping when you called.
  22. She was watering the plants in the garden.
  23. They were practicing for the play last night.
  24. He was taking a shower when the doorbell rang.
  25. We were jogging in the park at 6 AM.
  26. I was cleaning my room when I found my old diary.
  27. She was drawing a picture in her notebook.
  28. They were eating lunch when I saw them.
  29. He was singing on stage during the event.
  30. We were playing basketball after school.
  31. I was walking to the store when it started raining.
  32. She was baking cookies when I visited.
  33. They were dancing at the wedding reception.
  34. He was studying in the library all afternoon.
  35. We were discussing the new project yesterday.
  36. I was watching the sunset by the beach.
  37. She was preparing for her presentation all day.
  38. They were laughing at the joke.
  39. He was drawing a picture of a landscape.
  40. We were listening to the teacher in class.
  41. I was running when I twisted my ankle.
  42. She was helping her mother in the kitchen.
  43. They were celebrating their victory last night.
  44. He was shopping for groceries when I saw him.
  45. We were waiting for the concert to start.
  46. I was traveling to London when the news broke.
  47. She was calling her friend when the door opened.
  48. They were playing video games all night.
  49. He was writing an email when I arrived.
  50. We were organizing the event last week.
  51. I was eating breakfast when you knocked on the door.
  52. She was reading a book while drinking tea.
  53. They were preparing dinner when the guests arrived.
  54. He was watching TV when his phone rang.
  55. We were practicing for the performance all evening.
  56. I was studying for the exam until midnight.
  57. She was ironing her clothes when I called.
  58. They were planting flowers in the garden.
  59. He was doing his homework when his friend called.
  60. We were waiting for the bus when it started raining.
  61. I was driving home when I got a flat tire.
  62. She was preparing for her exams last week.
  63. They were walking their dog when I saw them.
  64. He was repairing his car when I arrived.
  65. We were packing our bags for the trip.
  66. I was working late when the fire alarm went off.
  67. She was making a cake for her birthday.
  68. They were sitting by the fire, talking about old times.
  69. He was cleaning the garage when I visited.
  70. We were decorating the Christmas tree.
  71. I was taking photos during the event.
  72. She was shopping for clothes yesterday.
  73. They were watching a football match on TV.
  74. He was attending a meeting at the time.
  75. We were discussing the issue when the boss walked in.
  76. I was reading a novel when I fell asleep.
  77. She was laughing at the comedian’s jokes.
  78. They were fishing at the lake last weekend.
  79. He was washing his car when I saw him.
  80. We were having a barbecue at the park.
  81. I was learning how to play the guitar.
  82. She was teaching her students last semester.
  83. They were swimming in the river last summer.
  84. He was working in the garden all day.
  85. We were walking through the forest yesterday.
  86. I was planning my vacation last month.
  87. She was studying English last year.
  88. They were visiting their grandparents.
  89. He was building a model airplane.
  90. We were waiting in line for tickets.
  91. I was eating lunch when you called.
  92. She was reading the newspaper when it happened.
  93. They were chatting on the phone for hours.
  94. He was drinking coffee when the alarm rang.
  95. We were playing tennis when it started raining.
  96. I was traveling through Europe last summer.
  97. She was cooking pasta when I arrived.
  98. They were enjoying the party when I left.
  99. He was practicing his speech for the event.
  100. We were relaxing by the pool all afternoon.

Negative Sentences in Past Continuous Tense

Structure:

  • Subject + was/were + not + verb + ing
    • Example: She was not reading a book.

10 Negative Examples:

  1. I was not sleeping when you called.
  2. She was not cooking dinner last night.
  3. They were not playing football in the park.
  4. He was not working on the project yesterday.
  5. We were not watching TV at that time.
  6. I was not listening to the radio this morning.
  7. She was not studying for the exam.
  8. They were not eating when I arrived.
  9. He was not attending the meeting.
  10. We were not going to the party last night.

Interrogative Sentences in Past Continuous Tense

Structure:

  • Was/Were + subject + verb + ing?
    • Example: Was she reading a book?

10 Interrogative Examples:

  1. Was she reading a book yesterday?
  2. Were they playing football in the park?
  3. Was he working late last night?
  4. Were we watching a movie together?
  5. Was I talking too loudly?
  6. Was she cooking dinner when you arrived?
  7. Were they practicing for the concert?
  8. Was he listening to music all day?
  9. Were you writing the report yesterday?
  10. Were we dancing at the party last night?