Past Continuous

1. Définition

Le Past Continuous est un temps utilisé pour parler d’une action en cours à un moment précis dans le passé. Il peut aussi indiquer une action interrompue par une autre ou deux actions qui se déroulaient simultanément.

1. Structure

Sujet + was / were + verbe en -ing

– “Was” est utilisé avec I, he, she, it
– “Were” est utilisé avec you, we, they

• Formes

Affirmative :
– I was reading a book.
– They were playing football.

Négative :
– He was not (wasn’t) watching TV.
– We were not (weren’t) listening.

Interrogative :
– Was she sleeping at that time?
– Were you doing your homework?

1. Emplois du Past Continuous

• Action en cours à un moment du passé
  – At 8 p.m., I was studying.
  – She was sleeping when I arrived.
• Action interrompue par une autre (souvent avec le past simple)
  – I was cooking when the phone rang.
  – They were walking when it started to rain.
• Deux actions simultanées dans le passé
  – While he was reading, she was writing.
  – They were dancing while the band was playing.

1. Marqueurs temporels fréquents

– while
– when
– as
– at that moment
– at [heure précise]
– all day / all night / all morning

Exemples :
– While I was talking, he was laughing.
– When she was studying, the lights went out.

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