Grammar Lessons

Past Continuous

Stories & Setting the Scene

The past continuous paints the background of a story — what was already happening when something else occurred. This lesson practises it through storytelling, interrupted moments, and memorable experiences.

Intermediate · B1 Lesson ready

Grammar Focus

When to use it and how to form it.

When do we use the Past Continuous?

Background action

An ongoing action that was in progress when something else happened.

"I was walking home when it started to rain."

Setting the scene

Describing the atmosphere or situation at a point in the past.

"Everyone was laughing and the music was playing."

Two simultaneous actions

Two things happening at the same time in the past — with while.

"While she was cooking, he was setting the table."

Structure

Subject + was / were + verb-ing

+ I/He/She/It was + verb-ing / You/We/They were + verb-ing — "She was looking around when she ran into him."

− Subject + wasn't/weren't + verb-ing — "I wasn't paying attention."

? Was/Were + subject + verb-ing? — "Were you listening when she said that?"

Combine with past simple using when or while: "I was hanging around outside when I came across an old friend."

Vocabulary in Context

Six phrasal verbs that come up naturally in stories. Each example uses past continuous or combines it with past simple.

walk into

Meaning

To enter a place; also to become accidentally involved in a difficult situation.

Example

"I walked into the middle of an argument — they were all shouting and I had no idea what was going on."

Conversation questions

Have you ever walked into a situation you weren't expecting? What happened?
Tell me about a time you walked into a room and immediately felt out of place.

run into

Meaning

To meet someone unexpectedly; also to encounter a problem.

Example

"I was waiting for the bus when I ran into my old teacher — we talked for almost an hour."

Conversation questions

Have you ever run into someone from your past at an unexpected moment? What was that like?
Have you ever run into a problem that you completely didn't see coming?

look around

Meaning

To examine or explore a place by moving through it and observing.

Example

"We were just looking around the old town when we found the most incredible little café."

Conversation questions

Tell me about a time you were looking around somewhere and discovered something unexpected.
Do you like to look around new places on your own, or do you prefer a guide?

hang around

Meaning

To wait or spend time somewhere without a clear purpose; to associate with a group of people.

Example

"We were just hanging around outside the school when the whole thing started."

Conversation questions

Where did you and your friends used to hang around as teenagers?
Have you ever been hanging around somewhere when something memorable happened?

pick up

Meaning

To collect something or someone; also to learn a skill or habit informally over time.

Example

"While I was travelling, I was picking up bits of the language without even trying."

Conversation questions

Have you ever picked up a skill or language naturally, without formal study?
Tell me about something you picked up from a person who had a big influence on you.

come across

Meaning

To find or encounter something or someone unexpectedly.

Example

"I was clearing out my old room when I came across a box of letters I'd completely forgotten about."

Conversation questions

Have you ever come across something from your past that brought back strong memories?
Tell me about the most interesting person you've ever come across by chance.

Conversation Practice

Questions grouped by theme — practise combining past continuous (background) with past simple (event). Try to use when and while in your answers.

Memorable Moments

What were you doing when you found out some really important news in your life?
Tell me about a time something unexpected happened while you were doing something ordinary.
Were you doing anything interesting when you met someone who became important to you?

Stories & Situations

Tell me about a time you were in an embarrassing or funny situation. Set the scene — what were you doing?
Have you ever walked into a situation that turned out to be completely different from what you expected?
Tell me about a time you ran into a problem while you were travelling or in an unfamiliar place.

Discovery & Learning

Have you ever come across something while looking around that completely changed your plans?
Were you consciously trying to learn English, or were you picking it up naturally along the way?
What were you going through at the time when you made one of your best decisions?