The Past Continuous (Progressive) Tense

Характеристика действия	1. Действие происходило в момент совершения другого действия. 2. Действие происходило не в указанный момент, а систематически (как в случае с Past Simple), однако говорящий был явно недоволен тем, что кто-то совершал это действие. (Ср.: Мой приятель вечно терял свои ключи. My pal was always losing his keys) 4. Действие происходило не в указанный момент, а в более длительный период. Ср.: – Над чем вы тогда (т.е. не в указанную минуту, а в указанный период) работали? – Над новым проектом. – What were you working on? – On a new project.
Примеры словосочетаний-сигналов	all the morning yesterday from 2 until 5 o’clock last night when you came at that time yesterday at 5 o'clock yesterday
Формула образования	was, were + V-ing
Утвердительное предложение	The director was looking through the catalogues at two o’clock yesterday. Вчера в 2 часа директор просматривал каталоги. When you called me I was working. Когда Вы позвонили мне, я работал.
Отрицательное предложение	The director wasn’t looking through the catalogues at two o’clock yesterday. Директор не просматривал каталоги в 2 часа вчера. When you me I was not working. Когда Вы позвонили мне, я не работал.
Вопросительное предложение	Was the director looking through the catalogues at two o’clock yesterday? Просматривал ли директор каталоги вчера в 2 часа? Were you working when I phoned you? Вы работали, когда я Вам звонил?

Exercise 1. Comment on the use of the Past Continuous Tense in these sentences. Translate them.

1. This time last year I was living in Brazil. 2. Was she working at 10 o’clock yesterday morning? 3. When Kate was watching TV, the phone rang. 4. We played ping-pong from two o’clock until four o’clock. 5. I was walking along Pennsylvania Avenue at 3 o’clock yesterday. 6. They were not studying at the university at that time. 7. She had poor health and was always complaining of headaches. 8. What were you doing the whole evening? 9. The children were playing while their mother was watching them. 10. Tom burnt his hand when he was cooking the dinner. 11. We were walking in the park when it started to rain. 12. Norman was working all day yesterday. 13. What was Martin doing when you stopped to give him a lift? 14. What were you doing yesterday at 8 p.m.? - I was writing a letter to our branch manager. 15. I found the money while I was shopping in the supermarket. 16. I was sitting in front of the fire when there was a knock at the door.

Exercise 2. Put the verbs in brackets into the Past Continuous Tense.

1. – What you (do) yesterday at 10.20 p.m.? – I (listen) to a play on the radio. 2. My wife and I (talk) about you the other day. 3. When I first met him he (study) painting. 4. – Who you (talk) to on the telephone as I came in? – I (talk) to Mr Smith. 5. Where he (live) when you saw him last? 6. I went into the garden to see what the boys (do). 7. The traffic made so much noise that I couldn’t hear what he (say). 8. John (work) all day yesterday. 9. He watched the children for a moment. Some of them (bathe) in the sea, others (play) in the sand. 10. One winter evening the old man and his wife (sit) by the fire. The old man (smoke) his pipe and (read) the paper. 11. John got off the train while it (go). 12. I (play) the piano when he came into the room. 13. She (live) in England when the war began. 14. He (walk) home when the rain began. 15. He hurt his foot while he (climb) the tree. 16. The car hit a tree while it (travel) at 60 miles an hour.

Exercise 3. Make these sentences a) negative and b) interrogative:

1. The students were working in the library all evening yesterday. 2. We were sitting for the examination from five till six. 3. At eight o’clock yesterday my roommate was watching a football match on TV. 4. I was having dinner when you rang me up. 5. Mary was always losing her gloves when she was a little girl. 6. My son was swimming and diving in the Black Sea all summer. 7. I was hurrying to the cafeteria when I met you. 8. Yesterday afternoon we were playing tennis at the stadium. 9. On Friday morning I was making an experiment at the laboratory. 10. At 7 o’clock yesterday evening we were still having a meeting at the office. 11. When Tom knocked at the door, Nancy was talking on the phone. 12. When the bell rang, the students were still writing a test. 13. I was walking to the office this morning when I saw an accident. 14. While I was working in the garden, I hurt my leg. 15. Professor Smith was working at his project all night. 16. We were waiting for you at 6 yesterday.

Exercise 4. Add question tags to these sentences.

1. The Winkles were not living in Philadelphia at that time. 2. When I first met him he was studying painting. 3. Mr Jones was talking to a student at that moment. 4. Mrs Brady was constantly complaining. 5. They were not discussing this question when we came in. 6. Joan was hurrying to the station when we met her. 7. Tom was sitting in a corner with a book. 8. At this time last year George was not learning to drive a car. 9. While he was learning to drive he had twenty-five accidents. 10. I was not shopping in the morning yesterday. 11. When he came into the office, the secretary was talking to a visitor. 12. He was not working all day yesterday. 13. We saw an accident while we were driving to the airport. 14. At 10:30 the children were not playing in the yard. 15. Ramon was leaving the party when I arrived. 16. We were expecting Mr Baker yesterday but he did not come.

Exercise 5. Ask questions to the following statements. Begin with an interrogative word given in brackets.

Model: I was visiting my friend from 5 till 6 yesterday. (who)

Whom were you visiting from 5 till 6 yesterday?

1. At 5 sharp Helen was talking to the dean (when). 2. The foreigner was speaking slowly because he wanted us to understand him (why). 3. They were playing cards when the phone rang (what). 4. The customs official was inspecting Bill’s luggage when he heard an explosion (what). 5. When James came, Mary was looking for something (who). 6. Mr Rock was giving a lecture on Mark Twain at 9 o’clock yesterday morning (what lecture). 7. From six to ten yesterday morning the boss was interviewing the new people (who). 8. We were playing tennis at five o’clock yesterday (when). 9. Mrs Russel was looking for her watch when I came in (whose). 10. Philip was going to the bank when we met him (where). 11. While I was talking on the telephone Mary was looking through the magazines (when). 12. Linda was waiting for the bus when she saw her mother (who). 13. While she was crossing the street, Renata ran into her ex-boyfriend (what). 14. When I saw Emma she was talking to a tall young man (who). 15. I was visiting Granny at the hospital from 3 to 4 o’clock yesterday (how long). 16. We were watching television at 8 o’clock yesterday (what).

Exercise 6. Make sentences with “when” for these situations saying that one action was interrupted by another action.

Model: I watched television. I fell asleep.

I fell sleep when I was watching television.

1. Mason went out. I came in. 2. We had a lecture on art yesterday. The rector of the University came in the middle of it. 3. We were at a disco last night. In the middle of it somebody shouted, "Fire!" 4. The doorbell rang. Jack left the house. 5. We waited for the bus. We saw an accident. 6. John called. I went to bed. 7. He bought a ticket. The train left. 8. Robert drove to London yesterday. Halfway there the car broke down. 9. We had a dictation yesterday. The bell rang in the middle of it. 10. The Browns were at the dinner table. The telegram arrived. 11. Robert went to the bus stop and waited. At that time it began to rain. 12. We played cards. The light went out. 13. My Dad lost a finger. He operated a lift truck. 14. The shop lost money. It sold poor-quality foods. 15. I didn’t hear you. I listened to the radio. 16. Mike had an accident. He drove too fast.

Exercise 7. Make up sentences with ‘while’ for these situations describing two actions going simultaneously.

Model: I shaved. The children had breakfast.

I was shaving while the children were having breakfast.

1. The children played. Mrs Brown talked to her neighbour. 2. You talked to Mary. I talked to Henry. 3. I made tea. Jimmy cleaned the car. 4. I had a holiday in France. My parents worked hard. 5. Alison got ready. Graham fetched the car. 6. It rained. I walked up the hill. 7. The house burnt down. We slept. 8. The children enjoyed playing chess. Their mothers chatted in another room. 9. The two men fought. A lot of women and children watched them and shouted. 10. Mr Smith read the papers. His wife listened to the news. 11. The boss looked through business papers. The secretary typed the report. 12. John fixed his CD player. His brother did his homework. 13. Group 1 wrote a grammar test. Group 2 took a written exam in English. 14. Jane made coffee. I did my morning exercises. 15. The doctor examined the patient. The nurse wrote out a prescription. 16. I copied the text. My friend wrote out the new words.

Exercise 8. Translate these sentences using the Past Continuous Tense.

1. Вчера в четыре часа дня я делал задание по английскому языку. 2. Мы ужинали, когда мой старший брат пришел из университета. 3. Пока секретарь отправляла сообщение, я разговаривал с главным инженером. 4. – С кем ты разговаривал, когда я тебя встретила? – Со своим двоюродным братом. 5. – Чем ты занимался в понедельник с 8 до 10 вечера? – Готовился к экзамену. 6. Вчера в восемь часов они oбсуждали планы на лeтние каникулы. 7. Вчера вечером мы все были дома. Весь вечер я читал твою книгу. Моя жена смотрела телевизор, а дети играли в шахматы. 8. Петр просматривал журналы, в то время как его сын и дочь смотрели телепередачу. 9. Когда часы пробили одиннадцать, он все еще работал. 10. Ведь в прошлом году вы в это время путешествовали? 11. Мне очень жаль, что я не смог прийти. Ведь вы меня ждали. 12. Когда он проснулся, его жена сидела у окна. 13. Когда она приехала из Москвы, мы оба ждали ее на вокзале. 14. Что он делал, когда вы к нему обратились? 15. Вчера все утро шел дождь. 16. Пока директор разговаривал с представителем фирмы, секретарь разбирала утреннюю почту.

Exercise 9. Use correct forms of the verbs in brackets: the Past Simple or the Past Continuous Tense.

1. Jane (wait) for me when I (arrive). 2. Last night I (read) in bed when suddenly I (hear) a scream. 3. – What you (do) this time yesterday? – I was asleep. 4. When she (come) into the room, I (listen) to the radio. 5. We (go) down in the lift when it suddenly (stop). 6. Tom (have) a photograph of me while I (not to look). 7. He (write) a letter when I (see) him. 8. We (not to go) out because it (rain). 9. Malcolm (fall) off the ladder when he (paint) the ceiling. 10. Harry (do) his work while his brother (play) games. 11. They (have) dinner when you (call) to see them? 12. I (not to drive) very fast when the accident (happen). 13. While the teacher (give) a lesson, a small dog (walk) into the classroom. 14. My hat (flow off) when I (cross) the bridge. 15. Just as I (get) interested in my work, I (have) to go home. 16. We (have) coffee in the coffee shop when we (hear) a shot.

Exercise 10. Complete these sentences using the Past Simple or Past Continuous Tense.

1. While I was speaking to the dean, my friend_______. 2. When we went out ______ . 3. Who were you talking to when _____ . 4. I was ringing the door bell when______ . 5. The weather got worse while we _____. 6. When my daughter came into the kitchen I ____ . 7. _______ his father was sleeping. 8. While I was talking to my new colleague _______. 9. I was having tea when _______ 10. From 5 till 6 on Friday I ______ .11. My roommates were playing chess when ____ . 12. All day long yesterday we _______ . 13. When I got up my wife ______ . 14. What was Jane doing while Mary _______. 15. When I arrived home _______ 16. While Andrew was playing the piano his friends _______ .

Exercise 11. Use correct forms of the verbs in brackets: the Past Simple or the Past Continuous Tense.

1. – Carol (be) at a party last night? – Yes, she (wear) a really nice dress. 2. Anne (break) a plate last night. She (do) the washing up when it (slip) out of her hand. 3. The phone (ring) still when I (rush) into the room. 4. Jack (do) his homework when his father (come) home from work. 5. The sick child (sleep) when the doctor (come). 6. When Sid (be) young he (work) from morning till night. 7. Last night at 9:35 the Headmaster of School No. 479 (walk) from the office to his car when suddenly somеbody (attаck) him from behind. 8. We (be) in a very difficult set-up. We (not to know) what to do. 9. I haven’t seen Alan for ages. When I (see) him last, he (try) to find a job in London. 10. I (walk) along the street when suddеnly I (hear) footsteps behind me. Somebody (follow) me. I (be) frightenеd and (start) to run. 11. When I (be) young, I (want) to be a bus driver. 12. The travellers (reach) the town just as the sun (set). 13. The old man never (go) out when it (rain). 14. I (walk) along the road when I (see) Dave. So I (stop) and we (have) a chat. 15. While some students (record) the texts on the tape the others (answer) their homework. 16. What speed the car (do) at the time of the accident? 17. – When I last (see) you, you (think) of moving to a new flat. – That’s right, but in the end I (decide) to stay where I (be). 18. Yesterday evening the phone (ring) three times while we (have) dinner. 19. While the eggs (boil) I (go) into the hall and (phone) Joe. 20. He even (not to notice) that Helen (wear) a new dress.

Exercise 12. Use correct forms of the verbs in brackets: the Past Simple or the Past Continuous Tense.

1. He (begin) to walk down the road, but he couldn’t see where he (go). 2. While I (look) through my papers I (find) a lot of unpaid telephone and electricity bills. 3. After breakfast he (rise) from the table and (light) a cigarette. 4. Mrs Oliver (have) her breakfast in bed when the telephone (ring). 5. One cold winter day two boys (walk) across a forest when one of them suddenly (see) something behind a tree. 6. The weather (be) foggy. Cars and buses (move) slowly. 7. In 2000 Peter (be) in Siberia, he (build) a railway together with his friends. Later he (write) a book about it. 8. Who (speak) over the telephone at 5 yesterday? The line (be) busy for an hour and a half. 9. She (get) into bed, (lay) her head on the pillow and in two minutes she (sleep) like a child. 10. I (look) through the classroom window. A geometry lesson (go) on. The teacher (draw) diagrams on the blackboard. Most of the boys (listen) to the teacher but a few (whisper) to each other. 11. They (build) that bridge when I (be) here last year. They haven’t finished it yet. 12. While I (wonder) whether to buy the dress or not, someone else (come) and (buy) it. 13. While I (swim) someone (steal) my clothes and I (have) to walk home in my swimsuit. 14. Why you (interrupt) me just now? I (have) a very interesting talk with Mr Pitt. 15. While the guests (dance) the thieves (break) into the house and (steal) a lot of fur coats. 16. He (take) a cushion, (put) it behind and (lean) back.

Exercise 13. Use correct forms of the verbs in brackets: the Past Simple or the Past Continuous Tense.

1. Linda (be) busy when we (go) to see her yesterday. She (study) for an exam. We (not to want) to disturb her, so we (not to stay) very long. 2. Jane (have) a book open in front of her but she (not to read) it. 3. Ann (not to see) me wave to her. She (look) in the other direction. 4. I (ask) the driver to slow down. He (drive) too fast. 5. Rose and Jim (meet) for the first time when they (study) at university. 6. When the telephone (ring), I (have) a shower. 7. Fred (look) very nice. He (wear) a very nice suit. 8. The old man who (sit) on the bench beside me (keep) silent for some time. Then he (ask) me if I (know) him. 9. When I (come) home, I (see) my friend, who (stand) at the door of our room. He (wait) for me because he (have) no key and could not get in. 10. – You (see) him yesterday? – No, I (have) no time. I (have) a ticket to the circus and (decide) to go there. –But when the circus show (begin)? – It (begin) at 8 o’clock. – And what you (do) till 8? – From 6 to 7:45 I (translate) a newspaper article. 11. I (meet) Tom and Ann at the airport a few weeks ago. They (go) to Berlin and I (go) to Madrid. We (have) a chat while we (wait) for our flights. 12. I (cycle) home yesterday when suddenly a man (step) out into the road in front of me. I (go) quite fast but luckily I (manage) to stop in time and (not to hit) him. 13. I (buy) a guide book in London. It (catch) my eye when I (pass) a shop window. I (return), (call) at the shop and (buy) it. 14. When I (go) out this morning, the sun (shine) and the birds (sing). It (be) a beautiful morning. I (walk) to the nearest park and (sit down) on the grass. But while I (sit) there, black clouds (gather) and (hide) the sun. It (begin) to rain heavily, so I (run) home. My hat (fall off) as I (run). 15. I (go) into my boss’s room to see what he (do). 16. The students (talk) excitedly when the teacher (come) in, but they (stop) at once when the teacher (speak). He (walk) across the room and (begin) to write questions on the blackboard. While he (write), the students (sit) down, (take) out their pens and (prepare) themselves for the test. The teacher (finish) writing, (sit) down in front of the class and (open) a book. He (read) his book the whole time while the students (answer) questions. When the bell (ring) at four o’clock, most of them still (write). The teacher (tell) them to stop working and he (collect) their test papers. As they (leave) the room he (begin) to correct the test papers.

Exercise 14. Translate these sentences using either the Past Simple or Past Continuous Tense.

1. Когда я добрался до станции, уже темнело. 2. – Кто помог тебе перевести статью? – Я перевел ее сам. 3. Мы вызвали врача, когда поняли, что ее состояние ухудшается. 4. Когда он зажег свет, он увидел, что на кровати кто-то спал. 5. Когда поезд прибыл, мы все стояли на платформе. 6. Я завтракал в маленьком кафе на станции, когда я увидел его в окне. Он стоял под большими часами и ждал кого-то. 7. Когда я пришла, они обедали. 8. – Когда ты oкончил школу? – В 2005 году. 9. Он не замечал, что происходит вокруг. 10. Вчера в 9 часов я смотрел телевизор. 11. Когда мы вышли на улицу, ярко светило солнце. 12. Я читал книгу, когда услышал телефонный звонок. 13. Вчера мы весь день работали в саду. 14. Я встретил Анну на прошлой неделе, но мы не разговаривали, так как она спешила на работу. 15. Пока дети спали, миссис Смит готовила обед. 16. Барбара позвонила, когда я завтракал. 17. Вчера на уроке мы писали диктант и читали новый текст. 18. – Чем ты занимался, когда позвонил Бен? – Я готовил домашнее задание. 19. По вечерам он имел обыкновение читать вслух сказки своему сынишке. 20. Она посмотрела на отца, затем повернулась и вышла из комнаты.