was/were + -ing for background actions; the when/while interrupted-action pattern
I can set the scene in past stories and combine background and events with when/while.
Look at these examples. Can you spot the grammar pattern?
It was raining, the tourists were hiding in pubs, and London felt honest.
It was raining, the tourists were hiding in pubs, and London felt honest.
I was reading your message when the train suddenly stopped.
I was reading your message when the train suddenly stopped.
Pay attention to the highlighted parts. What do they have in common?
was/were + -ing paints the background; the past simple interrupts it:
| Pattern | Example |
|---|---|
| background | At 8 pm we were having dinner. |
| interruption | I was taking a shower when the phone rang. |
| parallel | While I was cooking, he was setting the table. |
Long action → continuous; short event → past simple.
Apply this grammar in A2 course exercises
Practice ExercisesBackground and event both in simple
Long action → was/were -ing; event → past simple
It was raining, the tourists were hiding in pubs, and London felt honest.
It was raining, the tourists were hiding in pubs, and London felt honest.
Scene-setting with parallel continuous forms.
I was reading your message when the train suddenly stopped.
I was reading your message when the train suddenly stopped.
The classic interruption: was reading + stopped.
Practice in course
Apply this grammar in A2 course exercises