The past continuous tense is used to describe what was happening at a specific moment in time in the past. Do not use this form when referring to longer periods of time in the past such as 'last March', 'two years ago', etc. Use the past continuous with times of the day in the past.
This tense is often used with the following time expressions:
... at 5.20, three o'clock, etc.
Basic Construction
Positive
Subject + was / were + verb + ing + object(s) + time Expression
We were meeting with Jane at two o'clock yesterday afternoon.
Negative
Subject + was / were + not (wasn't, weren't) + verb + ing + object(s) + time Expression
They weren't playing tennis at five o'clock on Saturday.
Question
(Question Word) + was / were + subject + verb + ing + object(s) + time Expression
What were you doing at two-thirty yesterday afternoon?
If you are a teacher, use this guide on how to teach the past continuous tense for more help.
