The past progressive action describes actions that were happening at a specific moment in the past.
- Representer + helping action word (was/were) + the verb’s ‘-ing’ form.
- Was is used with singular subjects (I, he, she, it).
- Were is used with plural subjects (we, you, they).
Simple sentences
She was sleeping peacefully.
We were dancing together.
He was eating lunch.
They were playing outside.
I was watching TV.
You were reading quietly.
It was raining heavily.
She was drawing pictures.
They were talking loudly.
We were laughing hard.
Module 2: Questions and answers
Q: Was she sleeping peacefully?
A: Yes, she was sleeping peacefully.
A: No, she wasn’t sleeping peacefully.
Q: Were we dancing together?
A: Yes, we were dancing together.
A: No, we weren’t dancing together.
Q: Was he eating lunch?
A: Yes, he was eating lunch.
A: No, he wasn’t eating lunch.
Q: Were they playing outside?
A: Yes, they were playing outside.
A: No, they weren’t playing outside.
Q: Was I watching TV?
A: Yes, you were watching TV.
A: No, you weren’t watching TV.
Q: Were you reading quietly?
A: Yes, I was reading quietly.
A: No, I wasn’t reading quietly.
Q: Was it raining heavily?
A: Yes, it was raining heavily.
A: No, it wasn’t raining heavily.
Q: Was she drawing pictures?
A: Yes, she was drawing pictures.
A: No, she wasn’t drawing pictures.
Q: Were they talking loudly?
A: Yes, they were talking loudly.
A: No, they weren’t talking loudly.
Q: Were we laughing hard?
A: Yes, we were laughing hard.
A: No, we weren’t laughing hard.
Watch here: Module 2
Module 3: Real-life situations using past progressive
Expressing our Spoken English speaking course journey in the past progressive:
- We were learning grammar in small groups.
- They were practicing conversations with partners daily.
- The teacher was explaining topics clearly to the class.
- I was improving my vocabulary through regular exercises.
- We were discussing topics to boost confidence.
- She was helping students with pronunciation tips.
- They were asking questions during the speaking sessions.
- We were building confidence by speaking on stage.
- The instructor guided us with feedback after the presentations.
- I was participating actively in group discussions.
Expressing our adventurous trip in the past progressive:
We were hiking up the mountain.
They were exploring the hidden caves.
She was capturing the beautiful sunset.
I was climbing a steep hill.
We were crossing a wooden bridge.
He was fishing by the river.
They were setting up their tents.
We were walking through the dense forest.
She was swimming in the crystal-clear lake.
I was enjoying the fresh mountain air.
Watch here: Module 3
Module 4: Mixed Concept Practice
My Holiday Trip to Grandma’s Village:
The weather was pleasant during my holiday trip. The village was peaceful, and Grandma was waiting for us. We were walking to her house, where she had a garden full of fruits. We were picking fruits there, and I was watching the cows graze nearby. Grandpa was telling old stories, and my cousins were visiting too. We used to play near the pond and had fresh milk daily. I was helping Grandma cook, and the fields were green. The village life was simple, and we used to fish in the river. Overall, I had so much fun on this trip.
Added information:
The weather was pleasant during my holiday trip to Grandma’s village. The village was peaceful and quiet, surrounded by tall trees and colorful flowers. Grandma was waiting for us at the gate with a big smile. We were walking to her cozy house, where she had a beautiful garden full of ripe fruits and fragrant herbs. We were picking apples and cherries, enjoying the sweet taste of summer. I was watching the cows graze in the nearby field, feeling relaxed in the countryside. Grandpa was telling old stories about his childhood, and we all listened with excitement. My cousins were visiting too, and we used to play near the pond, catching frogs and splashing water. Every morning, we had fresh milk from the farm, which was creamy and delicious. I was helping Grandma cook traditional dishes, learning her secret recipes. The fields were green and lush, stretching as far as the eye could see. The village life was simple and joyful, filled with laughter and love. We used to fish in the river, spending hours by the water. Overall, I had so much fun on this trip, creating memories that I will cherish forever.
Watch here: MODULE 4
Video assignments:
- My Adventure at the Beach (Past Progressive Action)
- My Excursion to the Mountains (Mixed)