past continuous
Was doing something
The past continuous is a verb tense formed with "was" or "were" plus an "-ing" verb, describing actions in progress at a past moment: I was sleeping when you called, They were living in Boston then.
It often sets the scene for another past event or emphasizes duration.
Also called past progressive.
Conveying details verbally
- recountingNarrating events from memory
- chroniclingWriting events over time
- relatingConcerning or connecting
- depictingShowing through representation
portraying · illustrating · conveying · unfolding · revealing · flashback · scene-setting · backstory
describing
Conveying details verbally
- recountingNarrating events from memory
- chroniclingWriting events over time
- relatingConcerning or connecting
depicting · portraying · illustrating · conveying · unfolding · revealing · flashback · scene-setting · backstory · atmosphere
was
Had being once
- werePlural past existence verb
- -ingSuffix for continuous action
- progressiveFavoring reform and innovation
auxiliary · tense · aspect · imperfect · duration · ongoing · unfinished · temporal · verb form · conjugation
past, continuous, pasts, continue, continues, continued, continuing, continuation, continuity