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1: ONE ACTIVITY IS INTERRUPTED BY SOMETHING

ELSE

I was playing computer

games

when someone knocked on the

door.

I was cleaning

when I broke my vase.

was having
I _______________a
shower when the telephone
rang.

wasshe
sunbathing.
A ball landed on Jane when
__________________

SUBJECT + WAS/WERE + -ING

I was cooking when the telephone rang.

There was a power cut when Joana and
Ted were watching TV.
Teresa was eating dessert when her
husband came home.

2. TWO ACTIONS HAPPENING

INDEPENDENTLY ON EACH OTHER
I was playing computer games

and my wife was cooking.

The baby was crying

and his sister was playing hide

and seek.

having lunch and the girls at the next

were
gossiping
While I was
__________________
table
__________________ .

shining
were___________________.
singing
The sun was
________________
and the birds

3. ACTIONS HAPPENING AT A PARTICULAR TIME

IN THE PAST
At midnigt the baby was still sleeping.

The baby fell

asleep

8 pm

11 pm

3 am

7 am

At three oclock I was lying on the beach.

I came on the
beach

2 pm

4 pm

5.39 car crash

5 pm
At 5.39 yesterday I was sitting by the window.
At 5. 39 yesterday my wife was doing the hoovering.
At 5.39 yesterday my children were doing their
homework.

6 pm

4. UNFINISHED ACTIVITIES

I was writing my essay yesterday but I still have not

finished.

I was repairing my car then it got dark and I couldnt

see any more so I stopped.
- the car is still not fixed

5. BACKGROUND OF SOME ACTION

I woke up.
It was when
raining

When I arrived at the Jack

party
was telling a
joke.

Basically the same as rule nb. 1

dancing
When I got to the disco almost was
everyone
____________

was sitting

only my friend _______________bored at a corner

table.

6. REPEATED ANNOYING HABITS IN THE

PAST
He was always making stupid faces.

Jenny was always chewing chewing gums with

her mouth open.

7. IN POLITE PHRASES
I was wondering if I could borrow your newspaper.

I was wondering if you could help me with my

essay.

8. EMPHASIZING THE DURATION OF THE

ACTIVITY
Iwas waiting for two hours! Can you imagine that?

He was knocking on the door for 15 minutes! When I didn

t answer he gave up and walked away.

The duration of these acivities is much longer

than usual or than expected.

9. VERBS THAT SHOW SOME CHANGE

My hairwas goinggrey.

It was getting dark in the room and I was getting more

and more scared.

EXERCISE:
1.When I arrived/was arriving to the party, my friends drank/were
drinking beer.
2. I waited/was waiting in the rain for an hour but the train didnt arrive/
wasnt
arriving at all! I was so angry.
3.Susan stopped/was stopping by while youshopped/were shopping.
4. Her Englishimproved/was improving during her private English lessons.
5. Just as I fell/was falling asleep, I heard/was hearing a strange noise.
6.We went to dinner last night and, as weate/were eating,somebody
stole/was
stealingmy wallet.