Grammar Rule in 30 Seconds
Use Past Continuous for a long activity and Past Simple for the sudden event that interrupts it.
- Use 'was/were + -ing' for the long background action (e.g., I was sleeping).
- Use 'when + Past Simple' for the short interrupting event (e.g., when the alarm rang).
- The interruption can be literal or just a specific moment in time.
Overview
Past Continuous라고 불러. 길게 진행 중이던 행동과 짧고 갑작스러운 사건을 연결해주지.How This Grammar Works
Past Continuous는 동영상이 재생되고 있는 부분이야. 진행 중이었던 행동을 보여주는 거지.Past Simple이야. 우리는 '배경'이 되는 행동을 보여주기 위해 was나 were에 -ing 동사를 붙여서 써.Past Simple)를 사용해. 보통 이 두 부분을 when이라는 단어로 연결해.when을 '방해 경보'라고 생각해. 듣는 사람에게 «야, 방금 무슨 일이 일어났어!»라고 말해주는 거야. 단순히 두 가지 일이 일어났다고 말하는 게 아니야.
Formation Pattern
was를 쓰고, you, we, they에는 were를 써.
-ing를 붙여서 추가해. (예: watching, running, coding).
when을 사용해.
Past Simple로 된 짧은 행동으로 마무리해. (예: the phone rang, I saw a ghost, my pizza arrived).
I (주어) + was (be) + studying (동사+ing) + when (연결어) + my laptop died (방해 요소).
When my laptop died, I was studying. when으로 문장을 시작할 때는 쉼표 찍는 거 잊지 마. was나 were를 빼먹으면 문장이 '타잔 영어'처럼 들릴 거야. 'I studying'은 절대 안 돼.
When To Use It
- Social Media Disasters: '라이브 방송 중이었는데 엄마가 뒤에서 청소기를 돌리기 시작했어.'
- Excuses for Friends: '미안! 네가 전화했을 때 샤워 중이었어.'
- Accidents: '헬스장에 걸어가고 있었는데 바나나 껍질을 밟고 미끄러졌어.' (완전 코미디지?)
- Surprises: '우리끼리 걔 얘기하고 있었는데 갑자기 걔가 방으로 들어왔어.'
- Technology Fails: '긴 이메일을 쓰고 있었는데 화면이 까맣게 변했어.'
Common Mistakes
- The 'Double Ing' Trap: 두 행동 모두에
-ing를 쓰지 마. 'I was studying when it was raining'은 두 가지 일이 동시에 일어났다는 뜻이야. 하나가 다른 하나를 멈추게 했다는 뜻이 아니지. - The Missing Link:
was나were를 까먹는 거야. 'I playing games when...'은 아직 버퍼링 중인 것처럼 들려. - Wrong Connector: 짧은 행동 앞에
while을 쓰는 거야.when+ 짧은 행동,while+ 긴 행동 이렇게 써야 해. 'I was cooking when the bell rang' (정답). 'I was cooking while the bell rang' (벨이 10분 동안 울린 것처럼 들려). - Stative Verbs:
know,want,believe같은 동사에는-ing를 쓰지 마. 'I was wanting a burger when I saw the sign'이라고는 못 해. 그냥 'I wanted a burger'라고 해.
Contrast With Similar Patterns
Past Simple만 쓰는 거랑 뭐가 다를까?- Past Simple only: 'I walked home and it rained.' 이건 지루한 사건 나열처럼 들려. 먼저 이거 하고, 그다음에 저거 하고.
- Past Continuous only: 'I was walking home.' 이건 그냥 배경이야. 끝나지 않은 이야기 같은 느낌이지. 듣는 사람은 '그래서 뭐?' 하고 기다리게 돼.
- The Interruption: 'I was walking home when it started to rain.' 이제 드라마가 생겼어! 걷는 건 '기존 상태'였고 비는 '변화'였던 거지.
Past Simple은 사진(정지, 완료)이야. Past Continuous는 동영상(움직임)이고. 방해 요소는 동영상 찍는 사람을 누가 툭 친 것과 같아. 방해 요소에는 '사진'을, 이미 일어나고 있던 행동에는 '동영상'을 사용해.Quick FAQ
when 대신 while을 써도 돼?
응, 하지만 -ing 부분이랑 같이 써야 해! While I was sleeping, the dog barked.
긴 행동은 항상 멈춰야 해?
항상 그런 건 아니지만, 보통 방해받거나 주의가 산만해지지.
격식 있는 글쓰기에 써도 괜찮아?
물론이지. 표준 영어니까. 다만 줌 면접에 왜 2시간 늦었는지 설명할 때는 안 쓰는 게 좋을지도.
긴 행동 두 개에 써도 돼?
그건 다른 규칙이야! 서로 방해하지 않고 같이 일어난다면 while과 두 개의 -ing 동사를 사용해.
방해 요소가 세 개면 어떡해?
그냥 when이나 and를 계속 쓰면 돼. 'I was working when the power went out, when my phone died, and when I gave up.' (그냥 운수 나쁜 날이네).
'you'에는 was를 써, were를 써?
항상 were야. 'You was'는 옛날 해적이나 아주 특정한 속어에서만 쓰는 거야. 시험 볼 때는 you were만 기억해!
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
|
Past Continuous Formation
| 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
This structure describes an ongoing action in the past that was interrupted by a shorter, sudden event.
Literal Interruption
The second action physically stops the first action from continuing.
“He was running when he tripped and fell.”
“They were talking when the teacher entered the room.”
Temporal Interruption
The second action happens during the first, but the first action might continue afterward.
“It was raining when we arrived at the hotel.”
“She was wearing a red dress when I saw her.”
Atmospheric Background
Using the continuous form to set the scene for a story's main event.
“The wind was blowing when the ghost appeared.”
“Everyone was dancing when the music suddenly stopped.”
Reference Table
| 주어 | 진행 중인 행동 (배경) | 연결어 | 방해한 행동 (단순 과거) |
|---|---|---|---|
|
I / He / She / It
|
was watching Netflix
|
when
|
the WiFi died.
|
|
You / We / They
|
were playing games
|
when
|
the power cut out.
|
|
I
|
was texting my friend
|
when
|
I dropped my phone.
|
|
They
|
were walking to class
|
when
|
it started to rain.
|
|
She
|
was recording a video
|
when
|
her cat jumped on her.
|
|
We
|
were eating dinner
|
when
|
the doorbell rang.
|
격식 수준 스펙트럼
I was in the process of finalizing the report when the system encountered an error. (Work/Office)
I was finishing the report when the computer crashed. (Work/Office)
I was doing the report when my PC died. (Work/Office)
I was crushing that report when the laptop just went poof. (Work/Office)
방해받는 행동의 구성 요소
긴 행동
- 배경 Past Continuous
- 과정 Was/Were + -ing
짧은 행동
- 방해 Past Simple
- 갑작스러운 Verb-ed
과거 진행형 vs. 단순 과거형
시제 선택 방법
행동이 길거나 배경인가요?
갑작스러운 방해인가요?
이 규칙에 사용되는 동사 유형
동적인 동사 (-ing 사용)
- • running
- • talking
- • watching
- • cooking
상태 동사 (-ing 사용 불가)
- • know
- • want
- • like
- • believe
수준별 예문
I was sleeping when the phone rang.
I was sleeping when the phone rang.
She was eating when I arrived.
She was eating when I arrived.
They were walking when it rained.
They were walking when it rained.
He was reading when the light went out.
He was reading when the light went out.
We were watching TV when the doorbell rang.
We were watching TV when the doorbell rang.
I was driving to work when I saw the accident.
I was driving to work when I saw the accident.
What were you doing when the fire started?
What were you doing when the fire started?
She wasn't listening when the teacher gave the homework.
She wasn't listening when the teacher gave the homework.
I was just thinking about you when you called!
I was just thinking about you when you called!
The sun was shining when we stepped out of the museum.
The sun was shining when we stepped out of the museum.
He was working in London when he met his wife.
He was working in London when he met his wife.
Were they living in Paris when the war began?
Were they living in Paris when the war began?
I was originally going to stay home when Sarah convinced me to go out.
I was originally going to stay home when Sarah convinced me to go out.
The company was expanding rapidly when the market crashed.
The company was expanding rapidly when the market crashed.
I was just about to pay when I realized I'd left my wallet at home.
I was just about to pay when I realized I'd left my wallet at home.
The suspect was attempting to flee when the police apprehended him.
The suspect was attempting to flee when the police apprehended him.
The orchestra was tuning their instruments when the conductor finally appeared.
The orchestra was tuning their instruments when the conductor finally appeared.
I was merely browsing the archives when I stumbled upon the lost manuscript.
I was merely browsing the archives when I stumbled upon the lost manuscript.
Tensions were simmering when the prime minister made his controversial announcement.
Tensions were simmering when the prime minister made his controversial announcement.
She was constantly checking her watch when the train finally pulled into the station.
She was constantly checking her watch when the train finally pulled into the station.
The civilization was already undergoing a period of decadence when the external shocks arrived.
The civilization was already undergoing a period of decadence when the external shocks arrived.
I was wrestling with the ethical implications of the study when the results were leaked.
I was wrestling with the ethical implications of the study when the results were leaked.
The protagonist was painstakingly rebuilding his life when fate dealt him another blow.
The protagonist was painstakingly rebuilding his life when fate dealt him another blow.
The market was showing signs of volatility when the central bank intervened.
The market was showing signs of volatility when the central bank intervened.
혼동하기 쉬운
Learners use Past Simple for both actions, losing the 'ongoing' sense.
Learners use 'while' before the short action.
Trying to use verbs like 'want' or 'know' in the continuous form.
자주 하는 실수
I was eat when he came.
I was eating when he came.
I eating when he came.
I was eating when he came.
I was eating when he was coming.
I was eating when he came.
They was playing when it rained.
They were playing when it rained.
When I was seeing him, he was running.
When I saw him, he was running.
I was working when the phone was ringing.
I was working when the phone rang.
I was knowing the answer when she asked.
I knew the answer when she asked.
I was having a car when I lived in London.
I had a car when I lived in London.
I was finishing my work when he arrived.
I had finished my work when he arrived.
The sun was setting when we were reaching the summit.
The sun was setting when we reached the summit.
문장 패턴
I was ___ when ___.
When ___, they were ___.
___ wasn't ___ when ___.
Were you ___ when ___?
Real World Usage
I was just thinking about you when you texted!
I was working as a manager when I decided to get my MBA.
I was crossing the street when the car hit the cyclist.
We were hiking in the Alps when we got lost.
I was using the app when it suddenly closed.
Was having the best time when this happened! 😂
I was lifting a heavy box when I felt a sharp pain.
The country was struggling when the new leader took power.
쉼표 규칙
While I was eating, the phone rang.하지만 'when'이나 'while'이 중간에 있으면 쉼표는 필요 없어요!
두 번 쓰지 마세요
I was studying when he called.처럼 써야 해요.
상황 설명하기
I was walking down the street when I saw a strange dog.
Smart Tips
Combine two sentences using 'when' to create a background and an action.
Ask yourself: 'Can I do this for 10 minutes?' If yes (like sleeping), use -ing. If no (like tripping), use Past Simple.
Always put a comma after the first clause to help the reader breathe.
Add the word 'just' before the -ing verb to emphasize the timing.
발음
Weak form of 'was/were'
In natural speech, 'was' is often reduced to /wəz/ and 'were' to /wə/.
Linking 'when'
The 'n' in 'when' often links to the following vowel.
Rising-Falling
I was ↗working when the phone ↘rang.
The first part builds interest; the second part provides the resolution.
암기하기
기억법
The 'ING' is the THING that was HAPPENING; the 'ED' is the HEAD that popped in.
시각적 연상
Imagine a long, blue river (the Past Continuous). Suddenly, a red lightning bolt (the Past Simple) hits the water. The river was flowing when the lightning struck.
Rhyme
I was walking down the street, when a friend I chanced to meet.
Story
I was dreaming about a giant pizza. I was just about to take a bite when my alarm clock screamed at me. I was sleeping, the clock rang, and the dream ended.
Word Web
챌린지
Look around the room. Imagine you were doing something 5 minutes ago and someone walked in. Say the sentence out loud: 'I was [action] when [person] [action].'
문화 노트
Often uses 'just' to emphasize the timing: 'I was just about to go when...'
Frequently uses this structure in police procedurals and news reporting for dramatic effect.
This is a universal way to tell 'small talk' stories about your day.
The continuous aspect in English developed from an Old English construction using 'be' and a prepositional phrase (e.g., 'he was on hunting').
대화 시작하기
What were you doing when you heard the news today?
Were you sleeping when the sun came up this morning?
Tell me about a time you were doing something when something funny happened.
What was the weather like when you left your house?
일기 주제
자주 하는 실수
Test Yourself
I ___ (watch) TV when the power went out.
문법적으로 올바른 방해 상황을 고르세요:
Find and fix the mistake:
They was playing football when it started to rain.
Score: /3
연습 문제
8 exercisesI ___ (walk) to the park when I ___ (see) my old teacher.
Select the best option:
Find and fix the mistake:
She was cook dinner when the phone rang.
You were sleeping when I called.
Match the following:
A: Why didn't you answer my text? B: Sorry! I ___ (have) a shower when you ___ (text).
Verbs: sleeping, arrived, watching, tripped, raining, saw.
when / was / the / I / reading / light / went / out
Score: /8
Practice Bank
10 exercisesWhile we ___ (wait) for the bus, we saw an old friend.
I was walking when I was seeing the accident.
when / she / was / reading / her / phone / rang
Estábamos cenando cuando alguien llamó a la puerta.
방해받는 행동을 묘사하는 문장은 무엇인가요?
The students ___ (chat) when the teacher entered the room.
1. I was sleeping... | 2. He was running... | 3. We were dancing...
What you were doing when the earthquake started?
the / when / cat / I / jump / was / coding
Yo estaba lavando los platos cuando se rompió un vaso.
Score: /10
자주 묻는 질문 (8)
Yes, but the structure changes. Use `while` before the long action: 'While I was eating, the phone rang.' Use `when` before the short action: 'I was eating when the phone rang.'
Then you just use the Past Simple for both: 'When the phone rang, I answered it.' This shows a sequence, not an interruption.
It's better to say 'I was walking while it was raining' if both are long actions. Using `when` usually implies a sudden start or a specific moment.
No, this is specifically for the past. For the future, we use the Present Continuous or Future Continuous: 'I will be working when you arrive.'
This is just the standard conjugation of the verb 'to be' in the past. `I/He/She/It` = was. `You/We/They` = were.
Not always! If you say 'It was raining when I arrived,' the rain didn't stop just because you arrived. It just happened at that time.
It's rare. Usually, we use `while` for two continuous actions: 'I was cooking while he was cleaning.'
In speaking and informal writing, `wasn't` is much more natural. In very formal essays, use `was not`.
Scaffolded Practice
1
2
3
4
Mastery Progress
Needs Practice
Improving
Strong
Mastered
In Other Languages
Estaba comiendo cuando...
Spanish can also just use the Imperfecto (comía) without the progressive form.
Je mangeais quand...
French uses one verb form (Imparfait) where English uses two (was + -ing).
Ich aß gerade, als...
German has no '-ing' equivalent for this structure.
Tabete ita tokini...
Japanese doesn't distinguish between 'when' and 'while' as strictly as English.
Kuntu akulu 'indama...
The structure is very similar to English 'was + verb'.
Wǒ zài chīfàn de shíhòu...
Chinese verbs don't change for the past tense; the context or time words provide the tense.
Learning Path
Prerequisites
Learn These First
관련 동영상
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