Past Continuous Tense (Past Progressive Tense)

The past continuous tense is used to refer to several temporal situations. It’s made with the past tense of be + the present participle (the root word = ‑ing).

Narrative in past tense.

It was raining. The water was pouring down in sheets and the passersby were getting wetter with every step, despite their umbrellas.

When one action is happening at the time of another particular time.

It was raining at noon.

It was raining during lunch.

When one action is happening at the same time as another.

It was raining while I was out walking.

Remember not to use the past continuous tense with non-action verbs like seem and know. These verbs should use the simple past.

I was knowing my neighbour quite well.

I knew my neighbour quite well.