Make sentences in the past continuous tense using the verb given in the brackets.
We make past continuous tense forms by putting was or were before the -ing form of the verb. Was is used with singular subjects. Were is used with plural subjects.
1Which sentence correctly uses the past continuous for one boy?
Wrong!
Use "The boy was sleeping at 9 p.m." because a singular subject takes was + -ing in the past continuous.
2Which sentence correctly describes the action in progress when the lights went out?
Wrong!
Use "I was reading when the lights went out." because the reading was in progress before the past interruption.
3Which sentence correctly uses the past continuous with "she"?
Wrong!
Use "She was washing the clothes when I called." because she takes was in the past continuous.
4Which sentence correctly describes the action in progress when the visitors arrived?
Wrong!
Use "I was cooking dinner when the visitors arrived." because the cooking was in progress before the visitors arrived.
5Which sentence correctly uses the past continuous for Julia at 8 p.m.?
Wrong!
Use "Julia was doing her homework at 8 p.m." because it shows an action in progress at a specific past time.
6Which sentence correctly describes James's action when the rain started?
Wrong!
Use "James was repairing the car when it started to rain." because James is a singular subject in the past continuous.
7Which sentence correctly uses the past continuous for Janet?
Wrong!
Use "Janet was rehearsing for the play all afternoon." because Janet is a singular subject in the past continuous.
8Which sentence correctly describes Sophia's action when I saw her?
Wrong!
Use "Sophia was waiting for the bus when I saw her." because the waiting was in progress when another past action happened.
9Which sentence correctly uses the past continuous with a plural subject?
Wrong!
Use "The birds were chirping early this morning." because a plural subject takes were + -ing.
10Which sentence correctly describes what the boys were doing when the bell rang?
Wrong!
Use "The boys were learning their lesson when the bell rang." because the boys are a plural subject in the past continuous.
11Which sentence correctly describes the action in progress when the phone rang?
Wrong!
Use "She was getting dressed when the phone rang." because the dressing was in progress when the phone rang.
12Which sentence correctly describes what he was doing when I arrived?
Wrong!
Use "He was searching for his purse when I arrived." because he takes was in the past continuous.
13Which sentence correctly uses the past continuous for the cat?
Wrong!
Use "The cat was chasing the mouse across the kitchen." because the cat is a singular subject in the past continuous.
14Which sentence correctly describes the weather when we left home?
Wrong!
Use "It was raining when we left home." because the rain was in progress when we left.
15Which sentence correctly uses the past continuous for the wind?
Wrong!
Use "The wind was blowing fiercely during the storm." because the wind is a singular subject in the past continuous.
16Which sentence correctly uses the past continuous with "the dogs"?
Wrong!
Use "The dogs were barking loudly last night." because a plural subject takes were + -ing.
Exercise complete
0 out of 16
correct answers
Answers
- Which sentence correctly uses the past continuous for one boy? — The boy was sleeping at 9 p.m.
- Which sentence correctly describes the action in progress when the lights went out? — I was reading when the lights went out.
- Which sentence correctly uses the past continuous with “she”? — She was washing the clothes when I called.
- Which sentence correctly describes the action in progress when the visitors arrived? — I was cooking dinner when the visitors arrived.
- Which sentence correctly uses the past continuous for Julia at 8 p.m.? — Julia was doing her homework at 8 p.m.
- Which sentence correctly describes James’s action when the rain started? — James was repairing the car when it started to rain.
- Which sentence correctly uses the past continuous for Janet? — Janet was rehearsing for the play all afternoon.
- Which sentence correctly describes Sophia’s action when I saw her? — Sophia was waiting for the bus when I saw her.
- Which sentence correctly uses the past continuous with a plural subject? — The birds were chirping early this morning.
- Which sentence correctly describes what the boys were doing when the bell rang? — The boys were learning their lesson when the bell rang.
- Which sentence correctly describes the action in progress when the phone rang? — She was getting dressed when the phone rang.
- Which sentence correctly describes what he was doing when I arrived? — He was searching for his purse when I arrived.
- Which sentence correctly uses the past continuous for the cat? — The cat was chasing the mouse across the kitchen.
- Which sentence correctly describes the weather when we left home? — It was raining when we left home.
- Which sentence correctly uses the past continuous for the wind? — The wind was blowing fiercely during the storm.
- Which sentence correctly uses the past continuous with “the dogs”? — The dogs were barking loudly last night.