FORMĂ

[aff.]  Subiect + was/were + vb-ing
I was watching television all evening.
We were walking in the park yesterday at two o’clock.
[inter.] Was/Were + subiect + vb-ing
Was I watching television all evening?
Were we walking in the park yesterday at two o’clock
[neg.] Subiect + was not/ were not + vb-ing
I was not/wasn’t watching television all evening.
We were not/ weren’t walking in the park yesterday at two o’clock.

UTILIZARE

Past Continuous se folosește:

1. când acțiunea este în derulare într-un anumit moment din trecut.

We were having dinner at 8 p.m. yesterday. (We were in the middle of dinner at 8.) – Ieri la ora 8 luam cina.
We had dinner at 8 p.m. yesterday. (We started at 8.) – Ieri am luat cina la ora 8.

2. când acțiunea este în derulare într-o anumită perioadă de timp.

Yesterday morning we were jogging. – Alergam ieri dimineață.

3. pentru a fi mai politicos

What were you doing before you came here? → formulă mai politicoasă – Ce-ai făcut înainte să vii aici?
What did you do before you came here. → formulă directă

4. în vorbirea indirectă

He said he was living in London. – Spunea că locuiește în Londra.

5. pentru a exprima o acțiune viitoare în trecut.

He was leaving that night. – Intenționa să plece în seara aceea.

6. în descrieri

A fire was burning and grandma was knitting in front of it, listening to the radio. – Focul ardea în șemineu iar bunica tricota în fața lui, ascultând radioul.