Levels & career tracks
Curso básico · A1–A2
Nivel A1.1 — IdentidadNivel A1.2 — Rutinas y entornoNivel A2.1 — Contando el mundoNivel A2.2 — Comparando y proyectandoIntermedio · B1–B2
Level B1.1 — Connecting experiences Current levelLevel B1.2 — Narrating and describingLevel B2.1 — ArguingLevel B2.2 — NuanceProfesional / Avanzado · C1–C2
Level C1.1 — PrecisionLevel C1.2 — Register and discourseLevel C2.1 — StyleLevel C2.2 — Native masteryInglés técnico y especialización
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The past continuous describes an action in progress at a specific moment in the past, or two actions happening at the same time. It's formed with was/were + verb-ing, and it's especially useful for setting the scene of a story or describing what was interrupted.
Why this matters This lesson connects directly to your progress: it covers form: was / were + verb-ing; negative and questions; interrupted actions and two parallel actions. Mastering this content lets you move forward confidently, and reinforces patterns you'll use again later. Take time to review every example before moving to the assessment — repetition is what actually locks knowledge in long-term.
01
The goals of this lesson.
02
You already use the Past Simple for finished actions. This lesson adds the Past Continuous, for actions that were in progress at a specific moment ("I was working when you called").
03
Use "was" for I/he/she/it, and "were" for you/we/they — followed by the main verb with "-ing".
| Subject | Form | Example |
|---|---|---|
| I / he / she / it | was + verb-ing | I was working. |
| you / we / they | were + verb-ing | We were working. |
Examples
04
Negative uses "wasn't" or "weren't". Questions put "was"/"were" before the subject — exactly like present continuous, but in the past.
Examples
05
Often combined with past simple: the past continuous sets the scene (an ongoing action), and past simple shows the interruption. "While" often introduces two actions happening at the same time.
| Pattern | Example |
|---|---|
| Interrupted action | I was cooking when you called. |
| Two parallel actions | While I cooked, she cleaned. |
Examples
06
Read the text and answer the questions. You can try as many times as you want.
Yesterday was a strange day. I was working at my desk when the lights suddenly went out. My coworkers were talking in the hallway, and nobody knew what was happening. While we were waiting for the power to come back, someone found a flashlight.
Outside, it was raining heavily, and the wind was blowing hard. My boss was driving to the office when it happened, so he wasn't there yet. When the power finally came back, we were all relieved, and we went straight back to work.
1. What was the narrator doing when the lights went out?
2. Where were the coworkers talking?
3. What was the weather like?
4. What was the boss doing when it happened?
5. How did everyone feel when the power came back?
💪 You're telling real stories in English now! Review this lesson if needed, or keep pushing forward.
07
Usa las pistas para completar cada palabra en inglés. Sin calificar — repite las veces que quieras.
08
The essentials of this lesson, summarized.
09
Key terms to remember.
preparing food by heating it
cocinandospending time learning about a subject
estudiandolooking at something for a period of time
mirandoresting with your eyes closed at night
durmiendodoing a job or task
trabajandomoving on foot at a normal speed
caminando10
Tap the words in the correct order to form the sentence. Ungraded — repeat as many times as you like.
11
Tap the correct verb form to complete each sentence. The other options are conjugations from other tenses — on purpose, so you learn to tell them apart.
I was dinner when you called
I was while my sister was cleaning the house
We expecting visitors
He was when I arrived
I paying attention
12
Listen to the full dialogue with the speaker buttons first, then fill in the missing words from this lesson's real conversation. Ungraded — repeat as many times as you like.
What were you when I
I was dinner and the news.
13
You need at least 80% to unlock the next lesson. You can retake it as many times as you want — your best score is saved.
1. "We weren't expecting visitors." — which one is correct?
2. "I wasn't paying attention." — which one is correct?
3. What does this mean: "We were having dinner when the fire alarm went off."?
4. "While they were traveling, they visited five countries." — which one is correct?
5. Select the correct match for: "Where was she going when you saw her?"
6. Select the correct match for: "What were you doing at ten last night?"
7. What does this mean: "It was raining all morning."?
8. Which option matches: "We were watching a movie at nine."?
9. What does this mean: "They weren't working late."?
10. Select the correct match for: "I was studying while my sister was cleaning the house."
14
You now form the Past Continuous (I was working). Next lesson: "used to", for past habits that no longer happen.
15
Practice this lesson's vocabulary with a word search and flashcards. Ungraded — play as many times as you like.
Tap the first and last letter of a hidden word to find it. Los términos de varias palabras van sin espacios en el tablero (ej. "give up" aparece como GIVEUP).
Elige la respuesta correcta. Si aciertas, la tarjeta queda lista por hoy; si fallas, vuelve a aparecer pronto para reforzarla. Tu progreso se guarda en este dispositivo.