Learn Past Continuous Tense in Urdu with negative, interrogative, and interro-negative sentences under its definitions, formulas, rules, and exercises.
Meaning of Past Continuous Tense
STEP – I
Past = passed
Continuous=in process/ happening in recent
Tense = time/period/verb
Past Continuous Tense =any action was happening in continuous time
STEP – II
Definition of Past Continuous Tense
In this tense anything is done, happened or borne in past time in Continuing aspects.
They were doing their duty.
STEP – III
Recognition of Past Continuous Tense in English:
S + was/were +1V + ing+ O
First of all, the subject is placed at the start of the sentence then is/are/am and the first form of verb plus ‘ing’ and object at the end with a full stop.
Examples:
* 1V=1st form of verb
* 1V + ing = 4th form of verb
If the subjects are singular that is “I, He, She, It, Name”, we have to use the helping verb “was” with all of these subjects and if the subjects are plural like “You, We, They, Names”, the helping verb “were” will be used.
For He, She, It, single name= use ‘was’ as helping verb
They, You, we, plural name= use ‘were’ as helping verb
Exercise:
| S | was/were | 1V-ing | O |
| We | were | play+ing | cricket |
We were playing cricket.
| S | was/were | 1V+ing | O |
| You | were | driving | a car |
You were driving a car.
| S | was/were | 1V-ing | O |
| We | were | eating | food |
We were eating food.
| S | was/were | 1V-ing | O |
| Moosa | was | eating | bread |
Moosa was eating bread.
| S | was/were | 1V-ing | O |
| Air and Asif | were | go+ing | walk |
Aamir and Asif were going for a walk.
| S | was/were | 1V-ing | O |
| They | were | writing | a new topic |
They were writing a new topic.
STEP – IV
Negative Sentences of Past Continuous Tense
Helping Verb= was, were
To make a sentence negative, add “not” right after the ‘helping verb’ and helping verbs may be was or were. We will add ‘not’ after one of the helping verbs (was/were).
S + was/were + not + 1Ving + O
| S | was/were | not | 1V+ ing | O |
| He | was | not | go-ing | school |
He was not going to school.
| S | was/were | not | 1V+ ing | O |
| They | were | not | do-ing | homework |
They were not doing homework.
STEP -V
Interrogative Sentence of Past Continuous tense
To make a sentence interrogative, we need a helping verb to put it at the start of the sentence and place a sign of interrogation/question mark at the end of the sentence. Remember, without a sign of interrogation the sentences will be considered incomplete or wrong. Also, do not place a full stop after a question mark.
| Was/Were | S | 1v+ing | O |
| Was | Was | going | school? |
Was he going to school?
| Was/Were | S | 1V+ ing | O? |
| Were | they | doing | homework? |
Were they doing homework?
STEP -VI
Interro-negative Sentence of Past Continuous Tense
To make a sentences interro-negative, it is an easy way that makes this sentence negative first then place helping verb at the start of the sentence and place question mark at the end.
S + Was/Were + 1V ing + O
S + Was/Were + not + 1V ing + O (Negative)
Was/Were + S + not + 1V ing + O ? (Interro-negative)
| Was/Were | S | not | 1V+ ing | O? |
| Was | he | not | go-ing | school? |
Was he not going school?
| Was/Were | S | not | 1V+ ing | O? |
| Were | they | not | do-ing | homework? |
Were they not doing homework?
FAQs about Past Continuous Tense
Past Continuous Tense When and While
In the past continuous tense, “when” and “while” are commonly used to describe two past actions happening at the same time or when one action interrupts another. Here’s how they function:
1. “When” with Past Continuous & Simple Past
- “When” introduces a shorter action (Simple Past) that interrupts a longer action (Past Continuous).
- Structure:
Past Continuous + when + Simple Past
OR
Simple Past + when + Past Continuous - Examples:
- I was watching TV when the phone rang.
- She was cooking dinner when the lights went out.
2. “While” with Two Past Continuous Actions
- “While” is used when two longer actions were happening at the same time.
- Structure:
Past Continuous + while + Past Continuous - Examples:
- I was reading a book while she was listening to music.
- They were playing football while we were watching them.
3. “While” with Past Continuous & Simple Past
- “While” can also introduce the longer action (Past Continuous), and the shorter action (Simple Past) happens during it.
- Structure:
While + Past Continuous, Simple Past
OR
Simple Past + while + Past Continuous - Examples:
- While I was walking to the store, I met an old friend.
- He called me while I was sleeping.
Let me know if you need more clarification!
Past Continuous Tense Worksheet
Past Continuous Tense Questions
When forming questions in the past continuous tense, we use:
✅ Was/Were + subject + verb (-ing)?
1. Yes/No Questions
Structure:
🔹 Was/Were + subject + verb (-ing) + ?
Examples:
- Was she studying when you called? (Yes, she was. / No, she wasn’t.)
- Were they playing football in the park? (Yes, they were. / No, they weren’t.)
- Was it raining last night?
2. Wh- Questions
Structure:
🔹 Wh-word + was/were + subject + verb (-ing)?
Examples:
- What were you doing at 8 PM yesterday?
- Where was she going when you saw her?
- Why were they laughing so loudly?
- Who was she talking to on the phone?
3. Negative Questions
Structure:
🔹 Wasn’t/Weren’t + subject + verb (-ing)?
Examples:
- Wasn’t he waiting for you?
- Weren’t they watching the match?
Negative questions are often used for confirmation or surprise.
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