2. Use
• An action that was in progress at a time in the past.
E.g: - I was working in Spain in 1989.
• To explain the background to another past event or action.
E.g: - I was teaching in primary school when I met my husband.
• The exceptions in spelling are the same present progressive.
• Signal words:
– when
– while
– as long as
– (...)
4. Affirmative form
I was • “was” I, he, she, it and
you were the singular form of nouns
he/she/it was • “were” you, we, they and
we were the plural form of nouns
you were
they were
• Subject + verb “to be” in past + verb –ing + ...
E.g: - I was watching TV.
5. Negative form
• was not / were not (subject + was / were not + verb –ing + ...)
E.g: - I wasn’t playing football.
6. Interrogative form
• Was / Were (Was / Were + subject + verb –ing + ...?)
E.g:
- Were you using a mobile?
- Yes, I was / No, I wasn’t.
