Passado Contínuo: Formação (was/were + ing)
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
Eu dormi. É mais provável que tenha dito: Eu estava dormindo! Essa é a mágica do Past Continuous.câmera lenta do inglês. É perfeito para descrever aquele momento em que você estava rolando o TikTok e de repente percebeu que estava no app há três horas. Se o Past Simple é um ponto no mapa, o Past Continuous é a própria viagem de carro.How This Grammar Works
to be (was ou were). A ação é o seu verbo principal com um -ing grudado no final.Past Simple nos diz o que aconteceu, o Past Continuous nos diz o que estava acontecendo ao redor disso. Ele cria uma sensação de duração e progresso.I studied, parece uma tarefa finalizada. Se você diz I was studying, parece um processo que levou tempo. Você o usa quando quer que seu ouvinte visualize a cena.The sun rose e The sun was rising. Um é um fato; o outro é uma bela vista matinal.
Formation Pattern
Subject (a pessoa ou coisa que faz a ação).
was ou were. Use was para I, he, she e it. Use were para you, we e they.
verb principal com uma terminação -ing.
Subject + was/were + verb-ing.
Iwastextingmy friend.
not: "She was not (wasn't) listening to the podcast."
WereyouwatchingNetflix at midnight?
-ing! Se um verbo termina em -e, retire-o (como make tornando-se making). Se for um verbo curto com uma vogal e uma consoante, duplique a última letra (como run tornando-se running). Se terminar em -y, apenas deixe como está e adicione -ing (como play tornando-se playing). É mais fácil do que tentar escolher um filme em uma noite de sexta-feira, eu prometo.
When To Use It
- Background Action: Para descrever a atmosfera.
The music
was playingloudly and everyonewas dancing. - Interrupted Action: Quando uma coisa estava acontecendo e então *pá*—outra coisa a interrompeu.
I
was walkingto the gym when it started to rain. - Parallel Actions: Quando duas coisas estavam acontecendo exatamente ao mesmo tempo.
While I
was cookingdinner, my roommatewas playingvideo games. - Specific Time Progress: Para mostrar o que estava acontecendo em um momento preciso.
At 8:00 PM last night, I
was orderingpizza on Uber Eats.
He was always losing his keys! (Nota: Use always aqui para mostrar que era algo regular e irritante). Só não o use para verbos de estado como love, know ou want.estar sabendo algo; ou você sabe ou não sabe.
Common Mistakes
I working yesterday em vez de I was working. Você precisa desse was ou were para agir como a cola! Outro erro clássico é usar a versão errada do auxiliar. Lembre-se: was é para as pessoas solitárias no singular (I, he, she, it), e were é para os grupos (we, they) e o convidado especial you.comming em vez de coming ou runing em vez de running. Verifique essas consoantes! Por último, não use o Past Continuous para ações rápidas e repentinas. Você não diria I was dropping my phone. A menos que você o estivesse derrubando em câmera super lenta para uma cena dramática de filme, isso geralmente acontece instantaneamente:
I dropped my phone.
Contrast With Similar Patterns
Muitas vezes as pessoas se confundem entre Past Simple e Past Continuous. Aqui está a maneira mais fácil de lembrar a diferença:
Past Simple é para ações concluídas. É o o que aconteceu. (I watched a movie).Past Continuous é para ações em progresso. É o o que estava acontecendo. (I was watching a movie).
Se o Past Simple é uma única foto, o Past Continuous é um GIF. Você usa o Past Simple para os eventos principais de uma história e o Past Continuous para os detalhes e o cenário.
IO ato de caminhar levou tempo; o ato de ver aconteceu em um segundo.was walkinghome (Continuous) when Isaw(Simple) a celebrity!
Quick FAQ
Posso usar was com you?
Só se você quiser parecer um pirata ou estiver usando gírias muito antigas. No inglês padrão, é sempre you were.
O -ing muda para diferentes sujeitos?
De jeito nenhum! A parte do -ing continua exatamente a mesma. Apenas o was e o were mudam.
Posso usar isso para planos futuros?
Geralmente usamos o Present Continuous para isso. Se você disser
I was going to the party, geralmente significa que você não foi de fato porque algo aconteceu.
Tudo bem usar isso sem outra ação?
Com certeza.
I was working all dayé uma frase perfeitamente correta por si só.
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
| Sujeito | Positivo (+) | Negativo (-) | Pergunta (?) |
|---|---|---|---|
|
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?
|
Espectro de formalidade
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)
Past Continuous: Seu Auxiliar de Narrativa
Formação
- Subject + was/were + Verb-ing Estrutura básica
- was (I, he, she, it) Sujeitos singulares
- were (you, we, they) Sujeitos plurais
Usos Principais
- Ongoing past actions O que estava acontecendo?
- Setting the scene Cenário para outros eventos
- Parallel actions Duas coisas ao mesmo tempo
Evite Com
- Stative verbs ex: know, love, want
- Completed actions Use Past Simple em vez disso
Exemplos
- I was studying. Frase afirmativa
- She wasn't listening. Frase negativa
- Were they playing? Pergunta
Past Continuous vs. Past Simple
Escolhendo o Past Continuous: Um Guia Rápido
A ação aconteceu no passado?
A ação estava acontecendo ou em progresso em um momento específico?
É um verbo de estado (ex: know, love)?
Past Continuous em Ação: Contextos
Contação de Histórias
- • Preparar o cenário (ex: 'The sun was shining')
- • Descrever ações de fundo ('While I was walking...')
Vida Cotidiana
- • Explicar o que você estava fazendo ('I was making coffee')
- • Perguntar sobre os outros ('What were you watching?')
Comunicação Moderna
- • Mandando mensagem para amigos ('I was scrolling Insta')
- • Chamadas de Zoom ('We were discussing the plan')
Acadêmico/Profissional
- • Relatar atividades ('The team was analyzing data')
- • Explicações em entrevistas ('I was coordinating projects')
Exemplos por nível
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?
Fácil de confundir
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'.
Erros comuns
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.
Padrões de frases
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.
Visualize a Ação
was/were + -ing é o que a câmera was capturing naquele momento. Isso ajuda a lembrar que é algo em andamento!Evite Verbos de Estado
-ing. Então, você não diria I was knowing, mas I knew.Contexto é Rei
Soe Mais Natural
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'.
Pronúncia
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.
Memorize
Mnemônico
Remember 'BE in the past + ING'. Was/Were is the 'BE', and the action is 'ING' (ongoing).
Associação visual
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
Desafio
Look at a photo of a busy street. Describe 5 things that 'were happening' in that photo as if it were yesterday.
Notas culturais
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').
Iniciadores de conversa
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?
Temas para diário
Erros comuns
Test Yourself
At 7 PM yesterday, I ___ (eat) dinner.
-ing, então 'eating'.Find and fix the mistake:
They was playing soccer in the park.
-ing.Translate into English: 'Ella estaba estudiando cuando la llamaste.'
Answer starts with: ["S...
Score: /3
Exercicios praticos
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
Perguntas frequentes (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
Present Continuous: Ações Acontecendo Agora
Overview Você provavelmente está lendo esta frase neste exato momento. Você não está dormindo. Você não está pilotando...
Passado Simples: Verbo 'to be' (was/were)
Você já viu um meme que era literalmente a sua vida? Talvez você tenha visto um TikTok ontem que foi tão engraçado que...
Vídeos relacionados
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
Past Continuous ou Passado Contínuo (Was e Were +ing) - Inglês descomplicado
Inglês Descomplicado
Past Continuous / Passado Contínuo no inglês - Aula de inglês Completa!
Teacher Kai
Passado Contínuo | Aprenda inglês sozinho
CNA Go
Related Grammar Rules
Present Perfect: EUA vs Reino Unido (I've done vs I did)
Overview Já sentiu que seu livro de inglês mentiu para você? Você aprende uma regra e depois ouve um vlogger da Califór...
Phrasal Verbs: An Introduction (Turn On, Give Up, Look After)
## Phrasal Verbs: An Introduction A **phrasal verb** = verb + particle (up, on, off, out, in, away...) The combination...
Experiências de Vida: Present Perfect com Ever e Never
### Overview Falar sobre nossas experiências de vida é uma das partes mais ricas de qualquer conversa, seja em um encon...
Futuro Contínuo (will be -ing)
### Overview O `Future Continuous`, também chamado de `Future Progressive`, é um tempo verbal essencial para quem busca...
Present Perfect em Inglês: Conectando o Passado ao Agora (Formação Básica)
Overview Você já entrou em um cômodo e esqueceu completamente por que foi até lá? Todos nós já passamos por isso. Essa s...
