Модели употребления

Past Progressive употребляется:

1. Для выражения действия, происходившего в определенный момент в прошлом: You were still sleeping when I left. She was having tea at 5 o’clock.

2. Для выражения действия, происходившего в определенный период в прошлом: This time last year I was travelling to Spain. They were building a house at that time.

3. Для выражения эмоционально окрашенных действий (обычно негативного характера): He was constantly talking about football. The boys were fighting all the time!

4. Для выражения длительного действия, прерванного другим (кратковременным или обычным) действием, употребленным в Past Simple: I was driving along when suddenly a child ran across the road. We were walking in the park when it started to rain. He never talked when he was driving.

5. Для выражения одновременных длительных действий: He was working in the garden while they were having breakfast.

6. Для описания окружающей обстановки при изложении ситуации в прошлом: It was a fine day. The sun was shining, the birds were singing.

7. В придаточных времени и условия: She promised to look after the child while I was doing shopping.

8. Для выражения запланированных или ожидаемых действий (с глаголами движения): He explained that he was leaving the following week. I had to hurry home because the Simons were having tea with us.

9. Для выражения запланированного, но не совершившегося действия в прошлом: They were coming to dinner yesterday, but couldn’t leave the sick child.

Grammar Practice

Ex.1. Supply Past Progressive and comment on the use.

1. When Ann turned on the television, the weatherman (give) the weekend forecast for Europe. 2. At ten o’clock it (rain) heavily. 3. She (cook) in the kitchen at the moment. 4. I was busy the whole day yesterday. I (write) an article. 5. We were at the library from 3 to 7 p.m. We (prepare) for the credit. 6. He was in the country at the weekend. He (fish). 7. On Friday morning I was at work. I (make) an experiment. 8. The child (lie) as I entered. 9. You couldn’t see well for it (grow) dark. 10. He still (think) over the problem when the telephone rang. 11. While Jane (look) for the key we (stand) in front of the closed door. 12. While the parents (have) dinner we (play) games in the yard. 13. When he came back to the office, the secretary still (type) the document. 14. You didn’t believe I (tell) the truth just now. 15. It (snow) all night. 16. She (leave) yesterday but suddenly fell ill. 17. I (not, listen), so I missed what he said. 18. We stayed because we (enjoy) ourselves. 19. He (garden) all weekend. 20. It was a nice party. All the guests (enjoy) themselves. Ben (sing) a song, Kate and Fred (dance), Sam (eat) and we (play) cards.