:::warning # PAST CONTINUOUS ::: FORM : ___BE__ (past tense) + __V-ing___ The Past Continuous used to express: - an **interrupted** action **in the past** - **parallel** actions in the past - an **atmosphere** in the past - **repetition** and **irritation** in the past **Examples:** - I was reading when someone rang the doorbell. (It's an action that was in progress in the past when it was interrupted (by the doorbell)) - Last night at 6pm, I was reading a book. (A specific time in the past [6pm] can act as an "interruption" as well) - I was reading, while he was cooking dinner. (Both actions were happening in the past at the same time, parallel) - The students were reading, the teacher was writing on the blackboard, and the class pet was sleeping. (A series of actions in the past continuous is used to describe a situation / atmosphere in the past) - He was always playing around when he was in high school. (It was something that was irritating and repeated in the past)