Past Continuous (Set 1)

Exercise 1: Fill in the Blanks

Complete the sentences using the correct form of the verbs in the Past Continuous.

1. I __________ (read) a book when the phone rang.
2. They __________ (not/watch) TV when I arrived.
3. She __________ (write) a letter while listening to music.
4. We __________ (have) dinner when the guests came.
5. The children __________ (play) in the garden all afternoon.
6. __________ (you/study) when I called you last night?
7. He __________ (not/sleep) when his alarm went off.
8. It __________ (rain) when we left the house.
9. I __________ (look) for my keys, but I couldn’t find them.
10. They __________ (discuss) the problem when I joined the meeting.

Exercise 2: Correct or Incorrect?

Read the sentences below and decide if they are correct or incorrect. If incorrect, rewrite the sentence using the correct form of the verb.

1. She was played the piano when I arrived.
2. They weren’t working on the project last night.
3. He was talk with his friend on the phone.
4. We was preparing for the meeting.
5. Was you reading when the power went out?
6. I were cooking when you called me.
7. The dog was sleeping on the sofa.
8. They was waiting for the bus when it started to rain.
9. She weren’t paying attention in class.
10. I wasn’t listen to the radio.

Exercise 3: Choose the Correct Option

Choose the correct form of the verb to complete each sentence.

1. I __________ (was driving, were driving) to work when I saw the accident.
2. They __________ (was, were) talking about the movie all evening.
3. __________ (Was, Were) she writing a letter when you arrived?
4. He __________ (was, were) waiting for the train when it started to rain.
5. I __________ (weren’t, wasn’t) feeling well yesterday.
6. We __________ (was playing, were playing) football when the rain started.
7. __________ (Was, Were) you working late last night?
8. They __________ (was studying, were studying) for their exams all night.
9. I __________ (was cooking, were cooking) dinner when you called.
10. __________ (Was, Were) you driving at 5 p.m. yesterday?

Exercise 4: Rewrite the Sentences

Rewrite each sentence using the correct form of the verb in the Past Continuous.

1. He (write) his essay every afternoon.
2. She (walk) to school every day.
3. I (read) a book every evening.
4. They (cook) dinner when I arrived.
5. We (play) cards when the power went out.
6. He (wait) for me when I saw him.
7. I (do) my homework when the phone rang.
8. She (drive) to work at 8 a.m.
9. They (talk) about the new project during the meeting.
10. The baby (cry) all night.

Answer Key

Exercise 1: Fill in the Blanks

1. was reading
2. were not (weren’t) watching
3. was writing
4. were having
5. were playing
6. Were you studying
7. was not (wasn’t) sleeping
8. was raining
9. was looking
10. were discussing

Exercise 2: Correct or Incorrect?

1. Incorrect → She was playing the piano when I arrived.
2. Correct
3. Incorrect → He was talking with his friend on the phone.
4. Incorrect → We were preparing for the meeting.
5. Incorrect → Were you reading when the power went out?
6. Incorrect → I was cooking when you called me.
7. Correct
8. Incorrect → They were waiting for the bus when it started to rain.
9. Incorrect → She wasn’t paying attention in class.
10. Incorrect → I wasn’t listening to the radio.

Exercise 3: Choose the Correct Option

1. was driving
2. were
3. Was
4. was
5. wasn’t
6. were playing
7. Were
8. were studying
9. was cooking
10. Were

Exercise 4: Rewrite the Sentences

1. He was writing his essay every afternoon.
2. She was walking to school every day.
3. I was reading a book every evening.
4. They were cooking dinner when I arrived.
5. We were playing cards when the power went out.
6. He was waiting for me when I saw him.
7. I was doing my homework when the phone rang.
8. She was driving to work at 8 a.m.
9. They were talking about the new project during the meeting.
10. The baby was crying all night.