Grammar Rule in 30 Seconds
Use 'was' or 'were' plus a verb ending in '-ing' to describe actions that were happening at a specific moment in the past.
- Use 'was' for I, he, she, it; use 'were' for you, we, they. Example: 'I was eating.'
- Add '-ing' to the main verb. Example: 'They were playing.'
- For negatives, add 'not' after was/were. Example: 'She was not (wasn't) sleeping.'
Overview
Past Continuous の魔法なんだ。これは言い訳やストーリーテリング、人生という映画のシーンを設定するための文法だよ。一瞬の写真じゃなくて、ビデオクリップ全体を見せてくれる感じ。何かが起きた時に、すでに動いていた動作を表すんだ。英語の「スローモーション」モードだと思って。TikTokをダラダラ見てて、気づいたら3時間経ってた…なんて瞬間を説明するのにぴったりだね。Past Simple が地図上の点だとしたら、Past Continuous はロードチップそのものなんだ。How This Grammar Works
to be の過去形（was または were）。アクションはメインの動詞の最後に -ing をくっつけたもの。Photoshopのプロジェクトの背景レイヤーみたいな役割だね。Past Simple が何が「起きた」かを伝えるのに対して、Past Continuous はその周りで何が「起きていた」かを伝えるんだ。期間や進行している感じを出すんだよ。例えば、「勉強した」と言うと終わったタスクのように聞こえるけど、「勉強していた」と言うと時間がかかったプロセスのように聞こえる。聞き手にそのシーンをイメージさせたい時に使うんだ。「太陽が昇った」と言うのと「太陽が昇っていた」と言うのの違いだね。一方は事実で、もう一方は美しい朝の景色なんだ。
Formation Pattern
Subject（動作をする人や物）から始める。
was または were を足す。I、he、she、it には was を使い、you、we、they には were を使うよ。
verb に -ing をつけて足す。
Subject + was/were + verb-ing
texting（メッセージを送信）していた。」
not を足すだけ：「彼女はポッドキャストを listening（聞いて）いなかった。」
watching（見て）いたの？」
-ing の綴りのルールも忘れないでね！ 動詞が -e で終わる場合は、それを取り除く（make が making になるみたいに）。母音1つと子音1つの短い動詞の場合は、最後の子音を重ねる（run が running になるみたいに）。-y で終わる場合は、そのまま -ing を足せばOK（play が playing になるみたいに）。金曜の夜に見る映画を選ぶより簡単だから、約束するよ。
When To Use It
- Background Action: 雰囲気を説明する時。「音楽が大きな音で
playing（流れて）いて、みんなdancing（踊って）いた。」 - Interrupted Action: 何かが起きていた時に、突然！と別の何かがそれを止めた時。「ジムに
walking（歩いて）向かっていたら、雨が降り出した。」 - Parallel Actions: 2つのことが全く同時に起きていた時。「私が夕食を
cooking（作って）いた間、ルームメイトはビデオゲームをplaying（して）いた。」 - Specific Time Progress: 特定の瞬間に何が起きていたかを示す時。「昨夜の午後8時、私はUber Eatsでピザを
ordering（注文して）いた。」
always（いつも）鍵を losing（なくして）ばかりいた！」（注：ここで always を使うことで、それが定期的で迷惑なことだったと表現できるんだ）。ただ、love や know、want のような状態動詞には使わないでね。何かを「知っている状態にある」とは普通言わないでしょ？ 知っているか、知らないかのどちらかだから。
Common Mistakes
was working」だよ。その was や were が接着剤の役割を果たすんだ！ もう一つの定番のミスは、助動詞の形を間違えること。覚えておいて： was は「孤独な」単数の人たち（I, he, she, it）用で、were はグループ（we, they）と特別ゲストの you 用だよ。coming の代わりに comming と書いたり、running の代わりに runing と書いちゃったりすることがよくある。子音をしっかりチェックして！ 最後に、素早くて突然の動作には Past Continuous を使わないこと。「スマホを落としていた」とは言わないよね。ドラマチックな映画のシーンのために超スローモーションで落としていない限り、通常は一瞬で起きることだから：「スマホを落とした（I dropped my phone）」でOK。Contrast With Similar Patterns
Past Simple と Past Continuous の違いで混乱する人は多いよね。一番簡単な覚え方はこれ：
Past Simple は完了した動作。つまり「何が起きたか」。（I watched a movie / 映画を見た）Past Continuous は進行中の動作。つまり「何が起きていたか」。（I was watching a movie / 映画を見ていた）Past Simple が1枚の写真だとしたら、Past Continuous はGIFアニメーションだね。物語の主要な出来事には Past Simple を使い、詳細や設定には Past Continuous を使うんだ。「家に walking（歩いて帰って）いた時（Continuous）、有名人を saw（見かけた）（Simple）んだ！」 歩くのには時間がかかるけど、見かけるのは一瞬の出来事だよね。
Quick FAQ
you と一緒に was を使ってもいい？
海賊みたいに聞こえたいか、すごく古いスラングを使いたいなら別だけどね。標準的な英語では、常に you were だよ。
主語によって -ing は変わる？
いいえ！ -ing の部分は全く同じ。変わるのは was と were だけだよ。
未来の予定に使える？
それには普通 Present Continuous（現在進行形）を使うよ。「I was going to the party」と言うと、普通は「行くつもりだったけど、何かが起きて実際には行かなかった」という意味になるんだ。
他の動作がなくても使って大丈夫？
もちろん。「一日中仕事をしていた（I was working all day）」は、それだけで完璧な文章だよ。
2. Negative Contractions
| Full Form | Contraction | Usage |
|---|---|---|
|
was not
|
wasn't
|
Common in speech/informal writing
|
|
were not
|
weren't
|
Common in speech/informal writing
|
Conjugation of 'to work' in Past Continuous
| Subject | Auxiliary (to be) | Main Verb (-ing) | Example |
|---|---|---|---|
|
I
|
was
|
working
|
I was working.
|
|
You
|
were
|
working
|
You were working.
|
|
He/She/It
|
was
|
working
|
She was working.
|
|
We
|
were
|
working
|
We were working.
|
|
They
|
were
|
working
|
They were working.
|
Meanings
The Past Continuous describes actions or events that were in progress at a specific time in the past. It emphasizes the duration or the 'ongoingness' of the action.
Action in progress at a specific time
To show what someone was doing at a precise moment in the past.
“I was sleeping at midnight.”
“What were you doing at 10 AM?”
Interrupted action
To describe a longer background action that was interrupted by a shorter event (usually in Past Simple).
“I was taking a shower when the phone rang.”
“She was walking home when it started to rain.”
Parallel actions
To describe two actions happening at the same time in the past.
“I was studying while my brother was playing video games.”
“Were you listening while I was talking?”
Atmosphere/Setting the scene
Used at the beginning of stories to describe the background situation.
“The birds were singing and the sun was shining.”
“People were rushing to work and cars were honking.”
Reference Table
| 主語 | 肯定文 (+) | 否定文 (-) | 疑問文 (?) |
|---|---|---|---|
|
I
|
was working
|
wasn't working
|
Was I working?
|
|
You (singular/plural)
|
were working
|
weren't working
|
Were you working?
|
|
He/She/It
|
was working
|
wasn't working
|
Was he/she/it working?
|
|
We
|
were working
|
weren't working
|
Were we working?
|
|
They
|
were working
|
weren't working
|
Were they working?
|
フォーマル度スペクトル
Could you please clarify what you were doing at 8 PM yesterday? (Inquiry)
What were you doing at 8 PM yesterday? (Inquiry)
What were you up to last night around 8? (Inquiry)
Whatcha doin' last night at 8? (Inquiry)
過去進行形：あなたの物語を語る相棒
作り方
- Subject + was/were + Verb-ing 基本の形
- was (I, he, she, it) 単数主語
- were (you, we, they) 複数主語
主な使い方
- Ongoing past actions 何が起こっていたか？
- Setting the scene 他の出来事の背景
- Parallel actions 同時に起こる二つのこと
避けるべきこと
- Stative verbs 例：know, love, want
- Completed actions 完了した行動には過去単純形を使う
例文
- I was studying. 肯定文
- She wasn't listening. 否定文
- Were they playing? 疑問文
過去進行形 vs 過去単純形
過去進行形を選ぶ：クイックガイド
その行動は過去に起こっていますか？
その行動は特定の時点で進行中でしたか？
それは状態動詞ですか（例：know, love）？
過去進行形を実践で使う：状況別
物語を語る
- • Setting the scene (e.g., 'The sun was shining')
- • Describing background actions ('While I was walking...')
日常生活
- • Explaining what you were doing ('I was making coffee')
- • Asking about others ('What were you watching?')
現代のコミュニケーション
- • Texting friends ('I was scrolling Insta')
- • Zoom calls ('We were discussing the plan')
学術・ビジネス
- • Reporting activities ('The team was analyzing data')
- • Interview explanations ('I was coordinating projects')
レベル別の例文
I was playing football.
I was playing football.
They were eating pizza.
They were eating pizza.
She was not sleeping.
She was not sleeping.
Were you working?
Were you working?
I was watching TV at 8 o'clock.
I was watching TV at 8 o'clock.
We were walking when it rained.
We were walking when it rained.
He wasn't listening to the teacher.
He wasn't listening to the teacher.
What were they doing yesterday?
What were they doing yesterday?
While I was studying, my phone rang.
While I was studying, my phone rang.
The sun was setting as we arrived at the beach.
The sun was setting as we arrived at the beach.
I was thinking about you all day.
I was thinking about you all day.
They were constantly arguing during the trip.
They were constantly arguing during the trip.
I was hoping you could lend me some money.
I was hoping you could lend me some money.
The economy was finally recovering when the crisis hit.
The economy was finally recovering when the crisis hit.
She was always complaining about her boss.
She was always complaining about her boss.
I was just finishing my report when the computer crashed.
I was just finishing my report when the computer crashed.
I was wondering if I might have a word with you.
I was wondering if I might have a word with you.
The tension was building throughout the entire meeting.
The tension was building throughout the entire meeting.
He was forever coming up with these grand schemes.
He was forever coming up with these grand schemes.
As the crowd was gathering, the police arrived.
As the crowd was gathering, the police arrived.
The very foundations of the city were crumbling as the invaders approached.
The very foundations of the city were crumbling as the invaders approached.
I was meaning to call you, but life just got in the way.
I was meaning to call you, but life just got in the way.
The project was already floundering before the new manager took over.
The project was already floundering before the new manager took over.
Were you wanting to see the manager specifically?
Were you wanting to see the manager specifically?
間違えやすい
Learners often use Past Simple when they should use Past Continuous to show duration.
Both describe past habits, but 'used to' is for finished states, while Past Continuous + 'always' is for repeated actions.
Mixing up 'am/is/are' with 'was/were'.
よくある間違い
I working yesterday.
I was working yesterday.
They was playing.
They were playing.
I was play football.
I was playing football.
Was you sleeping?
Were you sleeping?
I was knowing the answer.
I knew the answer.
When I was arriving, they were eating.
When I arrived, they were eating.
I was not study.
I was not studying.
While I cooked, the phone rang.
While I was cooking, the phone rang.
I was having a car.
I had a car.
He was always lose his keys.
He was always losing his keys.
I was wondering if you can help me.
I was wondering if you could help me.
文型パターン
I was ___ing when ___.
While I was ___ing, he was ___ing.
At [Time], they were ___ing.
Was she ___ing when you saw her?
Real World Usage
We were having so much fun in Bali!
The suspect was wearing a red hoodie and was running toward the park.
While I was working at Google, I developed a new filing system.
Sorry! I was driving and couldn't text back.
It was a dark night. The wind was howling...
I was feeling dizzy all morning yesterday.
アクションを想像してみよう！
状態動詞は気をつけて！
文脈が大事！
もっと自然な英語に！
Smart Tips
Use Past Continuous to describe the weather and what people were wearing to make the story more vivid.
Automatically prepare to use the '-ing' form.
Use the Past Continuous to show that you were busy with something else.
Use 'I was wondering' instead of 'I want to know'.
発音
Weak form of 'was'
In sentences, 'was' is usually unstressed and sounds like /wəz/.
Weak form of 'were'
In sentences, 'were' is usually unstressed and sounds like /wə(r)/.
The -ing sound
The 'g' is silent; it is a nasal 'n' sound /ɪŋ/.
Rising intonation in Yes/No questions
Were you ↗listening?
Asking for confirmation.
暗記しよう
記憶術
Remember 'BE in the past + ING'. Was/Were is the 'BE', and the action is 'ING' (ongoing).
視覚的連想
Imagine a movie camera filming a scene. The camera is the Past Continuous—it captures the action as it moves. A still photo is the Past Simple.
Rhyme
Was and were and verb with ing, shows a past and ongoing thing!
Story
Yesterday at 5 PM, I was walking my dog. Suddenly, a cat ran by. My dog was barking, and I was pulling the leash. It was a chaotic moment in progress!
Word Web
チャレンジ
Look at a photo of a busy street. Describe 5 things that 'were happening' in that photo as if it were yesterday.
文化メモ
Often use Past Continuous for very polite, indirect requests to avoid sounding demanding.
Commonly used in storytelling to build suspense in casual conversation.
Using 'always' with Past Continuous often signals that the speaker found the habit annoying.
The continuous aspect in English developed significantly in the Middle English period, influenced by the 'to be' + 'on' + 'verbal noun' construction (e.g., 'I was on hunting').
会話のきっかけ
What were you doing at this time yesterday?
Tell me about a time you were doing something and were interrupted.
What was the weather like when you woke up this morning?
While you were growing up, what was your favorite hobby?
日記のテーマ
よくある間違い
Test Yourself
At 7 PM yesterday, I ___ (eat) dinner.
Find and fix the mistake:
They was playing soccer in the park.
Translate into English: 'Ella estaba estudiando cuando la llamaste.'
Answer starts with: ["S...
Score: /3
練習問題
8 exercisesAt 10 PM last night, I ___ (read) a book.
Which sentence is correct?
Find and fix the mistake:
I was knowing the answer to the question.
She was sleeping when you arrived.
A: Why didn't you answer the phone? B: Sorry, I ___ a shower.
Match the following:
___ I was walking home, I saw a famous actor.
What ___ you ___ (do) when the power went out?
Score: /8
Practice Bank
12 exercisesMy phone rang while I ___ (walk) to the store.
Choose the correct sentence:
The students ___ (not listen) to the lecture.
While she was cook, the fire alarm went off.
Arrange these words into a sentence:
Translate into English: 'Estábamos cenando cuando recibimos la noticia.'
Match the subjects with the correct verb form:
When the boss walked in, I was talk to my colleague.
The kids ___ (play) outside all afternoon yesterday.
Arrange these words into a sentence:
Translate into English: '¿Estabas durmiendo cuando te llamé?'
Choose the correct sentence:
Score: /12
よくある質問 (8)
No, in standard English, 'you' always takes 'were', even if you are talking to only one person.
'I ate' means the meal is finished. 'I was eating' means we are focusing on the time during the meal.
'Like' is a stative verb. These verbs describe states, not actions, so they don't usually have an '-ing' form.
Use 'while' before the Past Continuous (long action) and 'when' before the Past Simple (short action).
'Wasn't' is more natural in speaking. 'Was not' is better for formal essays.
Yes, if you use 'always' or 'constantly', usually to show that the habit was annoying (e.g., 'He was always shouting').
Not always, but it usually implies a specific moment or context that the listener already knows.
It becomes 'running'. Because it's a short CVC verb, you double the 'n'.
Scaffolded Practice
1
2
3
4
Mastery Progress
Needs Practice
Improving
Strong
Mastered
In Other Languages
Pasado Progresivo (estaba comiendo)
Spanish also uses the 'Imperfecto' (comía) for background actions, which English must translate as Past Continuous.
L'imparfait
French speakers often forget the 'was/were' because their tense is a single word (mangeais).
Präteritum / Gerade dabei sein
German speakers often say 'I worked' when they mean 'I was working'.
~te ita (~ていた)
Japanese uses this same form for states (like 'I was married'), whereas English uses Past Simple.
Kana + Present (كان يقرأ)
The main verb in Arabic stays in the present form, not a participle.
zài (在) + past context
The past meaning must come from context or time words like 'yesterday'.
Learning Path
Prerequisites
Learn These First
Continue With
関連動画
07:53 The Thrill of Not Knowing All the Answers | Harini Bhat | TED
07:33 Strawberry Blender Cake | Food Wishes
05:13 Friendly Pizza, UFOs and the Joy of AI-Generated Video | Matan Cohen Grumi | TED
「過去進行形」をたった5分でマスター！【英語の基礎】
Atsueigo
過去進行形を徹底解説！【英語の基礎】
Hapa Eikaiwa
過去進行形をマスター！was/were + -ingの形と使い方を徹底解説
English Lab
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