Past progressive: was / were + verb-ing
The past progressive (also called past continuous) shows an action that was going on at a time in the past.
| Subject | Form | Example |
|---|---|---|
| I / he / she / it | was + verb-ing | I was reading. |
| you / we / they | were + verb-ing | They were playing. |
Question: Was she sleeping? Negative: She wasn't sleeping.
When and while: a long action and a short event
Use the past progressive for the long action and the simple past for the short event that cut in.
I was walking home when it started to rain.
while goes with the long action: While I was walking, it started to rain. Two long actions at the same time are also possible: She was cooking while he was reading.
will: decisions now, promises and guesses
Form: will + plain verb for every subject (I will, she will, they will). Short form: I'll. Negative: won't.
- A decision made at the moment of speaking: It is hot. I will open the window.
- A promise or offer: I will help you.
- A guess or prediction (often with think, probably): I think it will be sunny.
be going to: plans and signs
Form: am / is / are + going to + plain verb.
- A plan made before now: I am going to visit my aunt on Sunday.
- A prediction from proof you can see: Look at those clouds! It is going to rain.
Question: Are you going to come? Negative: I'm not going to come.
will or going to? A quick test
Ask: Did I decide before this moment? If yes, use going to. If the idea just came now, use will. For a prediction: proof you can see = going to; opinion or guess = will. In many everyday sentences both are fine.
Key formulas and definitions
- was / were + verb-ing (past progressive)
- long action: past progressive + when + short event: simple past
- will + plain verb (I will go)
- am / is / are + going to + plain verb
- negatives: wasn't / weren't + ing; won't; am/is/are not going to
Worked examples
1. Make a sentence: I / read / the phone / ring (long action and short event).
I was reading when the phone rang. reading is the long action (past progressive); rang is the short event (simple past).
2. Choose will or going to: "Oh, no milk! I ____ buy some now."
will. The idea comes right now; it is a decision at the moment of speaking.
3. Choose will or going to: "Look at the clouds. It ____ rain."
is going to. We can see proof (dark clouds).
4. Fill in was or were: They ____ playing football at five.
were. The subject they takes were.
5. I booked tickets last week for Sunday's match. Which form fits: "We ____ watch it"?
are going to. The plan was made before now (tickets booked).
Common mistakes
- Using the simple past for the action in progress: "I read when the phone rang" (use was reading).
- Writing "I was go" or "they was playing". Use verb-ing and the right was/were.
- Saying "I will to go". After will use the plain verb: I will go.
- Using will for a plan already made: say "I am going to visit my aunt", not "I will visit" (when the plan is decided).