Form of the Past Progressive
How do we form the Past Progressive?
We use a form of to be (was or were), the infinitive and the ending -ing.
to be (was or were) + infinitive + -ing
1. Affirmative sentences in the Past Progressive
- I was playing with a ball.
- You were playing with a ball.
- He was playing with a ball.
- She was playing with a ball.
- It was playing with a ball.
- We were playing with a ball.
- You were playing with a ball.
- They were playing with a ball.
► Use was with I, he, she, it – and were with all other pronouns.
2. Negative sentences in the Past Progressive
- I was not playing with a ball.
- You were not playing with a ball.
- He was not playing with a ball.
- She was not playing with a ball.
- It was not playing with a ball.
- We were not playing with a ball.
- You were not playing with a ball.
- They were not playing with a ball.
Short/contracted forms in the Past Progressive