{"id":320,"date":"2018-03-15T10:53:19","date_gmt":"2018-03-15T10:53:19","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/english.orochinagi.com\/?page_id=320"},"modified":"2019-06-01T16:05:48","modified_gmt":"2019-06-01T16:05:48","slug":"past-continuous-3","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/orochinagi.com\/english\/grammar\/past-continuous-3\/","title":{"rendered":"Past Continuous 3"},"content":{"rendered":"

Why use this? What is this tense for?<\/p>\n

    \n
  1. Describe an action that continued in the past<\/li>\n
  2. Questions & Answers<\/li>\n
  3. Duration<\/strong><\/li>\n<\/ol>\n

    \"\"<\/a><\/p>\n

    When, While, And<\/h1>\n

    I was taking a shower when<\/strong> the phone rang.<\/p>\n

    The phone rang while<\/strong> I was taking a shower.<\/p>\n

    She was shouting and<\/strong> I was jumping<\/p>\n

    While<\/strong> = during a longer period
    \nWhen<\/strong> = specific point
    \n<\/span>And\u00a0<\/strong>= at the same time<\/span><\/p>\n

    These are general rules but do not always apply, as common sense will override.<\/p>\n

    I was watching the match\u00a0while<\/strong>\u00a0talking<\/strong> to my friend
    \n= talking<\/strong> was longer.. ? Maybe…<\/p>\n

    To specify which was shorter, we can use the past simple:<\/p>\n

    I watched the match while talking<\/strong> to my friend
    \n= talking<\/strong> is longer<\/p>\n

    I was taking a shower. The phone was ringing.
    \nI was taking a shower and<\/strong> the phone was ringing.
    \nI was taking to my boss and<\/strong> reading an email.
    \n= both actions happen at same time for same duration<\/strong><\/p>\n

    The phone was ringing while<\/strong> I was taking<\/strong> a shower.
    \n= taking<\/strong> was longer (common sense)<\/p>\n

    Remember: you present the image of the action (using past continuous)<\/strong> rather than a finished one (past simple).<\/p>\n

    I was talking to my friend while<\/strong> watching<\/strong> a match
    \n= watching<\/strong> was longer or same duration, but we can see the image of this person talking with their friend<\/p>\n

    I was watching a match while talking<\/strong> to my friend
    \n= talking<\/strong> is longer\u00a0(usually) and the talking is the more significant action.\u00a0 The match is less significant.<\/p>\n

    Advanced phrases<\/h1>\n