1 Rules and Application
A verb tense used to describe ongoing or continuous actions that were happening in the past
It is formed by combining the past tense of the verb "to be" (was/were) with the present participle of the main verb (the verb ending in -ing).
Subject (noun or pronoun): This is the person or thing performing the action.
Past tense of "to be" (was/were): Use "was" with singular subjects (I, he, she, it) and "were" with plural subjects (you, we, they).
Present participle of the main verb (verb + -ing): Add -ing to the base form of the main verb.
Subject+Past tense of "to be"+Present participle of the main verb
I was playing video games when the phone rang.
In this sentence, "I" is the subject, "was" is the past tense of "to be," and "playing" is the present participle of the main verb "play." Together, they form the past progressive tense.
They were studying for their exams all night.
In this case, "They" is the subject, "were" is the past tense of "to be," and "studying" is the present participle of the main verb "study."
I was playing games when the phone rang.
https://www.tutory.de/entdecken/dokument/past-progressive
2 Exercises
1. Last weekend, while I (study) for my exams, my friends (play) video games.
2. As we (ski) down the mountain, it suddenly (start) snowing heavily.
3. While we (walk) through the charming village, we (meet) some locals who (speak) only German.
4. My family and I (enjoy) a delicious dinner at a local restaurant when it (begin) to snow outside.
5. While my brother and I (build) a snowman, my parents (take) photos of the beautiful snowy landscape.
6. As we (explore) the historic town, a street musician (play) traditional Austrian music.
7. While we (visit) the local market, my sister (buy) a handmade souvenir.
8. Last night, as I (watch) the stars from our balcony, I (realize) how much I (miss) the peacefulness of the mountains.
9. While my family (have) breakfast, I (read) a fascinating book about the history of the region.
10. As we (drive) back from the ski resort, we (sing) along to our favourite songs on the radio.
https://www.tutory.de/entdecken/dokument/past-progressive
- Match each sentence in the first part (past progressive) with the corresponding sentence in the second part (past tense).
First Parts (Past Progressive):
1. While I was skiing down the slope,
2. As my family and I were exploring the charming village,
3. While my friends and I were having dinner,
4. As we were riding the chairlift to the mountaintop,
5. While my sister and I were building a snowman,
6. As I was watching the stars from our balcony,
7. While we were visiting the local market,
8. As we were driving back from the ski resort,
9 . While my family was enjoying a meal,
10. As we were walking through the snowy streets,
Second Parts (Past Tense):
A. ...I suddenly had a thought about my hometown.
B. ...I realized how much I missed the peacefulness of the mountains.
C. ...we shared stories and laughed around the campfire.
D. ...we encountered a friendly dog that joined us for a stroll.
E. ...we met a local artist who showcased handmade crafts.
F. ...we spotted shooting stars in the clear night sky.
G. ...we discovered a hidden ice cream shop.
H. ...we reflected on the day's adventures and cherished the memories.
I. ...we reached the summit and marveled at the panoramic views.
J. ...we were interrupted by our parents.
https://www.tutory.de/entdecken/dokument/past-progressive
- Construct sentences using the past progressive tense to convey ongoing actions.
- Describe specific moments from your skiing holiday in Austria. Be creative and include details!
https://www.tutory.de/entdecken/dokument/past-progressive
3 Homework
- Imagine a day in the life of Will during his skiing holiday in Austria. Create a short story using the past progressive tense to describe his activities throughout the day. Include details about his morning routine, skiing adventures, interactions with locals, and any other interesting events. Aim to use the past progressive tense consistently to convey the ongoing nature of the actions.
- Include details such as:
Pre-trip excitement: What were you and your family doing in the days leading up to the trip? Were you packing, shopping for ski gear, or making travel arrangements?
Arrival in Austria: Describe the initial moments upon arrival. What were you and your family doing as you settled into your accommodation and prepared for the first day of skiing?
Skiing adventures: Share your experiences on the slopes using past progressive tense. What were you doing on the first day as you got used to the skis? Were you practicing specific techniques or navigating challenging terrain?
Cultural experiences: While in Austria, what were you and your family doing to immerse yourselves in the local culture? Were you attempting to speak German, interacting with locals, or trying traditional Austrian dishes?
Memorable moments: Highlight ongoing actions or activities that stood out during the trip. Were you and your family doing something special on a particular day or enjoying a memorable meal together?
Reflections: Now that you're back, reflect on your overall holiday. What were you and your family doing as you shared stories and memories from the trip with your friends?
OR
- Role-play an interview between Will and a reporter who is curious about his skiing holiday. Write a dialogue using the past progressive tense where the reporter asks Will about specific moments during the trip. Will should respond using the past progressive tense to provide detailed and lively descriptions of his experiences. Include questions about skiing conditions, cultural interactions, and memorable activities.
- Focus on the same details already mentioned in Task 1!
https://www.tutory.de/entdecken/dokument/past-progressive


