Grammar Rule in 30 Seconds
The Past Continuous describes actions that were already in progress at a specific moment in the past, like a video playing.
- Use 'was' or 'were' plus the '-ing' form of the verb: 'I was eating.'
- Use it for background actions that get interrupted: 'I was sleeping when the phone rang.'
- Use it for two actions happening at the same time: 'He was cooking while I was cleaning.'
Overview
過去進行形（Past Continuous）です。ビデオを一時停止した状態を想像してみてください。過去形（Past Simple）が「写真を撮る」ように完了した出来事を表すのに対し、過去進行形 はその出来事がまだ続いていた「動き」に焦点を当てます。いわば過去の「雰囲気」であり、あなたの人生という映画のバックグラウンドミュージックのようなものです。この時制がないと、あなたの話は「食べた。寝た。出かけた。」という退屈な事実の羅列になってしまいます。過去進行形 を使えば、「彼女が電話してきたとき、私は食事中だったんだ」と言えるようになり、話にドラマと文脈が生まれます。静止画とGIFアニメの違いのようなものです。昨夜の8時に何をしていたか（シリーズものを一気見していたり、友達とゲームをしていたり）を説明したいなら、この時制が欠かせません。リアルな会話を楽しむための、最も便利なツールの1つです。How This Grammar Works
過去進行形 の核心は「継続時間」にあります。その動作がいつ始まっていつ終わったかではなく、特定の時間に「進行中だった」という事実が重要です。例えば、昨日の午後3時にカフェにいたとします。誰かに「3時に何をしていたの？」と聞かれたら、「ラテを飲んでいたよ（I was drinking a latte）」と答えるでしょう。ラテを飲み終えたわけでも、飲み始めた瞬間でもなく、まさに飲んでいる最中だったからです。この時制は、他の出来事の「背景」を作ります。よくあるのは、メインの出来事が起こる前の「状況説明」としての使い方です。「太陽が輝いていて、人々は公園で犬を散歩させていた。」こうして状況を詳しく説明した後に、「突然、UFOが着陸した」といったメインの事件（過去形）につなげます。また、2つのことが同時に起こっていた場合にも使えます。「ルームメイトが大音量で音楽をかけている間、私は勉強しようとしていた。」まさに学生生活あるあるですね。時間を引き延ばして、その瞬間の内側で何が起こっていたかを見せる、いわば「スローモーション」の時制なのです。
Formation Pattern
過去進行形 を作るのはサンドイッチを作るのに似ています。2つの主要な材料と特定の順番が必要です。
was または were。
I（私）、he（彼）、she（彼女）、it（それ）には was を使います。
you（あなた）、we（私たち）、they（彼ら）には were を使います。
-ing を付けます（現在分詞と呼ばれます）。
play → playing
scroll → scrolling
text → texting
主語 + was/were + 動詞のing形。
was watching Netflix)
were gaming until 2 AM)
was または were の後に not を入れるだけです。
was not / wasn't listening)
were not / weren't checking)
Were you filming a vlog?)
was he doing?)
When To Use It
過去進行形 が活躍する主なシーンは4つあります：- 中断された動作： 最も一般的な使い方です。何かをしている最中に、突然別のことが起こった場合です。「Uberが到着したとき、私はシャワーを浴びていた。」長い動作（シャワー）が
過去進行形で、割り込んできた出来事（到着）が過去形です。 - 特定の時間点： ある瞬間の状況を正確に伝えたいときです。「真夜中、私はまだレポートを終わらせようとしていた。」その時計の針が動いた瞬間に、その動作が進行中だったことを示します。
- 並行する動作： 2つのことが同時に起こっていたときです。「私が夕食を作っている間、弟はテーブルの準備をしていた。」映画の分割スクリーンのようなイメージです。
- 雰囲気・背景描写： 物語を語るのに最適です。「雨が降っていて、風が吹いていた。」メインの話が始まる前の雰囲気を設定します。
- しつこい習慣（alwaysを伴う）： 過去にイライラさせられた誰かの癖について話すときに使います。「元カレはいつも私の音楽の趣味に文句を言っていた。」あなたの不満に感情とドラマを添えます。
Common Mistakes
- 状態動詞の罠： いくつかの動詞は「進行形」になるのを嫌います。これらは「状態動詞」と呼ばれます。
love（愛する）、hate（嫌う）、know（知っている）、want（欲しい）、believe（信じる）などは、通常過去形で使います。「I was knowing」とは言わず、単に「I knew」と言います。 - be動詞の忘れ： 「I watching TV」と言ってしまう人が多いですが、これは間違いです！
wasが必要です。これがないと、文章が成立しません。 - be動詞の使い分けミス：
I/he/she/it=was、You/we/they=wereです。「We was」と言わないように注意しましょう。 - 使いすぎに注意： 過去のすべての出来事に使う必要はありません。短く完了した動作には
過去形を使ってください。「I was opening the door」と言うと、ホラー映画のように5分くらいかけてゆっくりドアを開けたように聞こえてしまいます。
Contrast With Similar Patterns
過去進行形 の最大のライバルは 過去形 です。過去形 は「何が起こったか？」、過去進行形 は「何が起こっていたか？」を表すと考えてください。過去形： 「映画を見た。」（完了した事実。報告。）過去進行形： 「映画を見ていた。」（その時の体験や継続時間に注目。まだ話の「中」にいる感じ。）
was cooking）」と言うと、電話が鳴ったときにはすでにキッチンで料理の真っ最中だったことになります。Quick FAQ
まばたきのような短い動作に使えますか？
普通は使いません。ある程度の時間がかかる動作に使います。まばたきのような一瞬のことは「I blinked（過去形）」と言います。
「while」と「when」の違いは何ですか？
良い質問です！過去進行形 には while（〜している間）、過去形 には when（〜したとき）を一緒に使うのが一般的です。
カジュアルな会話で「you was」と言ってもいいですか？
歌の歌詞などで耳にすることもありますが、標準的な英語（そして試験！）では常に「you were」です。
常に 「when」 や 「while」 が必要ですか？
必須ではありません。文脈がはっきりしていれば、「寝ていたんだ（I was sleeping）」と言うだけで十分です。
未来のことに使えますか？
過去進行形なので、未来には使えません！それはタイムトラベラーの混乱を招きます。未来の進行中のことは 未来進行形 を使いましょう。
2. Negative Contractions
| Full Form | Contraction |
|---|---|
|
was not
|
wasn't
|
|
were not
|
weren't
|
Conjugating the 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
Used to describe an ongoing action that was happening at a specific point in the past.
Interrupted Action
An ongoing past action that was interrupted by a shorter, sudden event (usually in Past Simple).
“I was walking home when it started to rain.”
“She was talking to her boss when the power went out.”
Parallel Actions
Two or more actions happening at the same time in the past.
“I was studying while my brother was playing video games.”
“The sun was shining and the birds were singing.”
Atmosphere/Setting the Scene
Describing the background situation at the start of a story.
“The wind was blowing and the trees were swaying.”
“People were rushing to work and cars were honking.”
Reference Table
| 主語 | 助動詞 (be動詞) | メインの動詞 (-ing) | 例文 |
|---|---|---|---|
|
I
|
was
|
reading
|
I was reading a book.
|
|
You
|
were
|
studying
|
You were studying hard.
|
|
He
|
was
|
working
|
He was working late.
|
|
She
|
was
|
listening
|
She was listening to music.
|
|
It
|
was
|
raining
|
It was raining yesterday.
|
|
We
|
were
|
eating
|
We were eating pizza.
|
|
They
|
were
|
playing
|
They were playing outside.
|
フォーマル度スペクトル
I apologize; I was engaged in a telephone conversation at that moment. (Apology)
Sorry, I was talking on the phone. (Apology)
My bad, I was on the phone. (Apology)
Sorry, was on a call. (Apology)
過去進行形：あなたの物語の味方
作り方
- was/were Auxiliary verb
- 動詞 + -ing Present Participle
いつ使う？
- 進行中の過去の動作 At a specific time
- 背景の説明 Setting a scene
- 中断された動作 When something else happened
- 同時進行の動作 Two things at once
よくある間違い
- was/were 忘れ e.g., 'I reading'
- 状態動詞での使用 e.g., 'was knowing'
過去進行形 vs. 過去形
過去の時制の選び方
その動作は完了して終わっていますか？
過去の特定の瞬間に動作の真っ最中でしたか？
情景描写や背景の説明をしていますか？
過去進行形の活用シーン
日常生活
- • I was drinking coffee.
- • They were chatting online.
- • She was walking to class.
ストーリー
- • The rain was falling.
- • He was running when...
- • Everyone was laughing.
中断された動作
- • I was sleeping when the phone rang.
- • While he was working, his laptop crashed.
- • They were studying when the party started.
同時進行
- • She was cooking while he was cleaning.
- • I was listening to music and working.
- • They were talking and laughing.
レベル別の例文
I was playing tennis.
She was eating an apple.
They were sleeping.
We were watching TV.
I was working at 10:00 yesterday.
Were you listening to me?
He wasn't wearing a coat.
It was raining when we left.
While I was washing the car, it started to rain.
What were you doing when the accident happened?
I was constantly thinking about my exam.
They were having dinner while we were waiting outside.
The company was losing money every month.
She was always complaining about her job.
I was hoping to see you at the party.
The birds were singing and the sun was setting.
I was wondering whether you had a moment to chat.
The tension was building throughout the meeting.
He was forever losing his keys in those days.
I was just finishing the report when the computer crashed.
I was going to suggest a walk, but it's too cold.
The city was undergoing a massive transformation.
Were you wanting to speak with the manager specifically?
The plot was thickening with every new piece of evidence.
間違えやすい
Learners often use Past Continuous for completed actions or Past Simple for background actions.
Learners try to use -ing with verbs like 'know', 'like', or 'understand'.
Both can describe the past, but 'used to' is for habits, while Past Continuous is for specific moments.
よくある間違い
I watching TV.
I was watching TV.
They was playing.
They were playing.
I was play tennis.
I was playing tennis.
He were eating.
He was eating.
I was knowing the answer.
I knew the answer.
When I was arriving, they were eating.
When I arrived, they were eating.
Were you watch the game?
Were you watching the game?
I was having a car.
I had a car.
While I finished my work, he was waiting.
While I was finishing my work, he was waiting.
I was liking the movie.
I liked the movie.
文型パターン
I was ___ing when ___.
While I was ___ing, she was ___ing.
At [time], I was ___ing.
I was always ___ing when I was a kid.
Real World Usage
I was driving at 40mph when the light turned red.
Sorry! I was sleeping.
I was working as a manager when I developed this system.
We were having so much fun!
I was exercising when I felt the pain.
Protesters were gathering outside the building all morning.
「スナップ写真」をイメージして！
I was dancing.「状態」を表す動詞に注意！
I knew the answer.
While と When を使いこなそう
While I was cooking...
物語をイキイキとさせる力！
The sun was shining brightly.
was/were を忘れずに！
I was studying hard.
Smart Tips
Almost always use the Past Continuous after it.
Use Past Continuous for the weather and background people.
Use 'I was wondering' instead of 'I want'.
Drop the -e before adding -ing.
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/.
The '-ing' sound
The 'g' is usually silent or very soft. It sounds like /ɪŋ/.
Rising intonation for questions
Were you ↑listening?
Conveys a yes/no question.
暗記しよう
記憶術
WAS for one, WERE for more, add ING to the verb you adore.
視覚的連想
Imagine a 'loading bar' in the past. The Past Continuous is the bar while it's still filling up, not when it's 100% finished.
Rhyme
When the action was in flow, was and were is how you go!
Story
Imagine you walk into a room yesterday. A cat was sleeping, a dog was barking, and a bird was flying. These are all background actions in Past Continuous.
Word Web
チャレンジ
Look at a photo of yourself from a few years ago. Write 3 sentences about what you were doing, wearing, or thinking in that moment.
文化メモ
Often used to make excuses sound more polite and less direct than the Past Simple.
Frequently used in storytelling to build suspense before a 'climax' in the Past Simple.
Sometimes uses 'after + -ing' instead of Past Continuous, though this is a different structure entirely.
The progressive aspect in English developed from an Old English construction using 'be' + a preposition + a verbal noun.
会話のきっかけ
What were you doing at this time yesterday?
What was the weather like when you woke up this morning?
Were you living in a different city five years ago?
What were you thinking about before this lesson started?
日記のテーマ
よくある間違い
Test Yourself
I was eating が正解です。They were studying とします。Score: /3
練習問題
8 exercisesAt 8 PM last night, I ___ (read) a book.
Which sentence is correct?
Find and fix the mistake:
I was know the answer.
He worked.
A: Why didn't you answer? B: Sorry, I ___ (have) a shower.
Match: 1. We, 2. She
I was sleeping ___ the alarm went off.
While my mom was cooking, my dad ___ (wash) the dishes.
Score: /8
Practice Bank
13 exercisesMy phone rang while I ___ (sleep).
He was always complain about his job.
正しい文章はどれ？
「カフェであなたを見かけた時、何をしていましたか？」を英語にしてね。
単語を並べ替えて正しい文を作ろう：
主語と正しい be動詞を組み合わせてね：
The wind ___ (blow) strongly all night.
While she was read, her cat jumped on the table.
情景を描写している正しい文は？
「電気が消えた時、私たちは夕食を食べていました」を英語にしてね。
正しい文に並べ替えよう：
He ___ (not / pay) attention during the lecture.
What you were doing when the accident happened?
Score: /13
よくある質問 (8)
Usually, no. 'While' is for long actions, so it almost always takes the Past Continuous. Use 'when' for Past Simple.
These are verbs like `know`, `love`, `believe`, and `own`. They describe states, not actions, so we don't use them with `-ing`.
In the Past Continuous, it is always `I was`. `I were` is only used in the subjunctive mood (e.g., 'If I were you').
Because 'run' is a one-syllable verb ending in consonant-vowel-consonant, you double the 'n' to get `running`.
Only if you want to emphasize that it was annoying, usually with the word 'always'. Otherwise, use `used to`.
`I ate` means the meal is finished. `I was eating` means we are talking about the time during the meal.
No, that's the `Future Continuous`. Past Continuous is strictly for things that happened before now.
Yes, but only to describe temporary behavior. 'He was being rude' means he isn't usually rude, but he was at that moment.
Scaffolded Practice
1
2
3
4
Mastery Progress
Needs Practice
Improving
Strong
Mastered
In Other Languages
Estaba comiendo / Comía
Spanish has two ways to express this; English mostly uses one.
L'imparfait
French uses one tense for habits and background; English splits them.
Präteritum + gerade
German uses the simple past with an adverb like 'gerade' (just/currently).
〜ていました (~te imashita)
Very similar logic to English.
كان + verb (kana + verb)
The structure is almost identical to English.
正在 (zhèngzài) + Past Context
Chinese verbs don't change for the past; you just add a time word.
Learning Path
Prerequisites
関連動画
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