Past Continuous

Past Continuous (or Past Progressive)

1.  The past continuous has three parts:  was/were + base form + ing

           Simple Present:             I go                    We go

          Simple Past:                 I went                 We went

          Present Continuous:     I am going           We are going

          Past Continuous:          I was going       We were going

2.  Past Continuous + When + Simple Past

     In the following sentence, the first action/event (事件, acontecimiento, событие) began and continued happening. Then the second action/event happened and ended during* the first action. (在 . . . 时 候, durante, во вре́мя)  an assassination: 刺杀, asesinato, полити́ческoe уби́йство

They were eating lunch in the cafeteria when they heard about the assassination.

same: When they heard about the assassination ,  they were eating lunch in...

He was taking a shower when the phone rang in the living room.

same: When the phone rang in the living room,  he was taking a shower.           

3.  While (or as) + Past Continuous + Simple Past  (while:  当 . . . 的 时 候, mientras, пока́)

     Another way to say the sentences above is by using while + past continuous.  Here, while means at the same time as or when. 

While they were eating lunch, they heard about the assassination.

same: They were eating lunch when they heard about the assassination.

While he was taking a shower, the phone rang in the living room.

same: He was taking a shower when the phone rang in the living room.

4.  Past Continuous + Past Continuous

     If two events were both happening at the same time (同时地, 不约而同地, simultáneamente, a la vez, одновременно), you can connect them with while or as. 

While the teacher was writing something on the board,  two students were cheating on their test.  作 弊 者, copiar, списывать

same: Two students were cheating on their test while the teacher was writing something on the board.

5.  Noce the difference.

He was taking a shower when the phone rang in the living room.

         (He began taking the shower. After he began, the phone rang.)

Different Meaning:  He took a shower when the phone rang in the living room.

         (First the phone rang. After it rang, he took a shower.)

At 5:00 this afternoon, I was sending an important email.

         (I started sending it before 5:00. At 5:00 I was still sending it.)

Different Meaning:  At 5:00 this afternoon, I sent an important email.

         (I waited until 5:00, and then I sent the email.)