Login

    English The Past Progressive

    Beginner+ English - Level A2

    Overview

    This unit covers the past progressive or past continuous tense. This tense is used to show an activity happening in the past that is interrupted by another action or event or to indicate simultaneity of past events or actions.

    For example: "I was listening to a podcast when I heard a loud crash."
                          "We were walking home as the sun began to set."

    Vocabulary

    English-Past Progressive

    The Convention Center and Riverwalk at night in Tampa, Florida.

    Back to the Course

    English A2

    Past Progressive

    The past progressive is used when referring to a moment in the past, during which something else was happening. In other words, something that started before and ended after a specific time in the past. To form the past progressive, we use a noun or personal pronoun + was/were + verb + ing.

    PastProgressive

    Examples:
    I arrived at the concert around 8 pm. The band was already playing. (The band started playing before, and continued playing after I arrived.)
    She called me last night, but I was already sleeping. (I fell asleep before she called, and was asleep after she called.)
    We wanted to go to the flea market yesterday, but they were already packing up.

    Additional Activities

    Review the lesson above and complete additional activities to build your understanding of this topic. For the activities listed below, log in for additional access. It's free.
    Video
    Video2
    Listening Exercise
    Vocabulary
    Additional Links

    Online Language Classes with an Instructor

    Online Language Training

    Start improving your learning experience by working with one of our incredible language instructors. Visit the shop today.

    officebusinessAsset 97@250x-8Business Language Training

    Start learning a foreign language at work with your team. Discover how CORE Languages can support an array of language services for your business.

    CORE Compass BlogDiscover the Compass Blog

    From PR to news updates to teaching tips and learning topics, let the Compass Blog be your guide to language services you need.