Past Continuous Tense

Past Continuous Tense Examples, Definition, Exercises in Hindi, Video explanation, English to Hindi explanation, Rules, formulae

This article includes definition, formula and Rules for forming sentences in past continuous tense. All this is simultaneously explained in Hindi for better understanding. There are examples of negative, negative interrogative and interrogative sentences and exercises at the end of the lesson in order to help you assess how much you have learnt about Past Continuous Tense. It also includes video explanation of the topic for your additional help.
Past Continuous Tense Definition

The Past Continuous Tense describes actions or events in a time before now, which began in the past and were still going on.

Past Continuous Tense Examples and formulae

The different formulae for making sentences in the Past Continuous Tense are as follows:
Past Continuous Tense Formula for First Person Singular

The formula for Past Continuous Tense when the First Person is Singular is that the sentence starts with ‘I’ followed by ‘was’, then a verb in its 1st form with ‘ing’, followed by an object which is optional.
So, we can say that the formula for Past Continuous Tense for First Person Singular is as follows -

‘I’ + was + verb (1st  form) with ‘ing’+ object (optional)

Let us see some example sentences with formula for Past Continuous Tense when the First Person is Singular:

1) I was studying hard for exams.

 मैं परीक्षा के लिए कड़ी मेहनत कर रहा था।

2) I was going to work every day.

 मैं हर दिन काम करने जा रहा था।

3) I  was sleeping late on Saturdays.

मैं शनिवार को देर से सो रहा था।

4) I was watching a movie every week.

मैं हर हफ्ते एक फिल्म देख रहा था।

5) I was swimming on Sundays.        

मैं रविवार को तैराकी कर रहा था।

For converting these sentences into negative sentences the formula is that you add ‘not’ before the root form of the verb and the rest of the rule remains the same.

‘I’ + ‘was’+ not + verb (root form) + object (optional)

Let us see some examples of negative sentences with the formula for Past Continuous Tense when the First Person is Singular:

1) I was not studying hard for exams.

 मैं परीक्षा के लिए कठिन अध्ययन नहीं कर रहा था।

2) I was not going to work every day.

 मैं हर दिन काम पर नहीं जा रहा था।

3) I  was not sleeping late on Saturdays.

मैं शनिवार को देर से नहीं सो रहा था।

4) I was not watching a movie every week.

 मैं हर हफ्ते एक फिल्म नहीं देख रहा था।

5) I was not swimming on Sundays.  

 मैं रविवार को तैराकी नहीं कर रहा था।

For converting these sentences into Interrogative sentences the formula is that you add ‘was’ at the start of the sentence followed by the subject  and the rest of the rule remains the same. The sentence ends with a question mark ‘?’.

Was + [subject] + verb (root form) with ‘ing ’+ object (optional)?

Let us see some examples of Interrogative sentences with the formula for Past Continuous Tense when the Person is Singular:

1) Was I studying hard for exams?

क्या मैं परीक्षा के लिए कठिन अध्ययन कर रहा था?

2) Was I going to work every day?

 क्या मैं हर दिन काम करने जा रहा था?

3) Was I sleeping late on Saturdays?

क्या मैं शनिवार को देर से सो रहा था?

4) Was I watching a movie every week?

क्या मैं हर हफ्ते एक फिल्म देख रहा था?

5) Was I swimming on Sundays?      

क्या मैं रविवार को तैराकी कर रहा था?

For converting these sentences into negative Interrogative sentences the formula is that you add ‘was ’at the start of the sentence, then the subject and then ‘not’ and the rest of the rule remains the same. The sentence ends with a question mark ‘?’.

Was + [subject] + not + verb (root form) with ‘ing’+ object(optional)?

Let us see some examples of Interrogative sentences with the formula for Past Continuous Tense when the Person is Singular:

1) Was I not  studying hard for exams?

 क्या मैं परीक्षा के लिए कठिन अध्ययन नहीं कर रहा था?

2) Was I not  going to work every day?

 क्या मैं हर दिन काम पर नहीं जा रहा था ?

3) Was I not sleeping late on Saturdays?

 क्या मैं शनिवार को देर से नहीं सो रहा था?

4) Was I not watching a movie every week?

क्या मैं हर हफ्ते फिल्म नहीं देख रहा था?

5) Was I not swimming on Sundays?

क्या मैं रविवार को तैराकी नहीं कर रहा था?
Past Continuous Tense Formula for First Person Plural

The formula for Past Continuous Tense when the First Person is Plural are that the sentence starts with ‘We’ and were, then a verb in its 1st form with ‘ing’  followed by an object which is optional.
So, we can say that the formula for Past Continuous Tense for First Person Plural is as follows -

‘We’ + were + verb(1st  form) with ‘ing’+ object (optional)

Let us see some example sentences with formula for Past Continuous Tense when the First Person is Plural:

1) We were studying hard for exams.

हम परीक्षा के लिए कठिन अध्ययन कर रहे थे।

2) We were going  to work every day.

हम हर दिन काम करने जा रहे थे।

3) We were sleeping late on Saturdays.

 हम शनिवार को देर से सो रहे थे।

4) We were watching a movie every week.

हम हर हफ्ते एक फिल्म देख रहे थे।

5) We were swimming on Sundays.

हम रविवार को तैराकी कर रहे थे।

For converting these sentences into negative sentences the formula is that you add ‘not’ before the verb and the rest of the rule remains the same.

We’ + were + not + verb(1st  form) with ‘ing’+ object (optional)

Let us see some examples of negative sentences with the formula for Past Continuous Tense when the First Person is Plural:

1) We were not studying hard for exams.

हम परीक्षा के लिए कठिन अध्ययन नहीं कर रहे थे।

2) We were not going  to work every day.

हम हर दिन काम पर नहीं जा रहे थे।

3) We were not sleeping late on Saturdays.

हम शनिवार को देर से नहीं सो रहे थे।

4) We were not watching a movie every week.

 हम हर हफ्ते एक फिल्म नहीं देख रहे थे।

5) We were not swimming on Sundays.

 हम रविवार को तैराकी नहीं कर रहे थे।

For converting these sentences into Interrogative sentences the formula is that you add ‘were’  at the start of the sentence followed by the subject  and the rest of the rule remains the same.

were + [subject] + verb (root form) with ‘ing ’+ object (optional)?

Let us see some examples of Interrogative sentences with the formula for Past Continuous Tense when the Third Person is Plural:

1) Were we studying hard for exams?

 क्या हम परीक्षा के लिए कठिन अध्ययन कर रहे थे?

2) Were we going to work everyday?

क्या हम रोज़ काम पर जा रहे थे ?

3) Were we sleeping late on Saturdays?

क्या हम शनिवार को देर से सो रहे थे?

4) Were we watching a movie every week?

 क्या हम हर हफ्ते एक फिल्म देख रहे थे?

5) Were we swimming on Sundays?

क्या हम रविवार को तैराकी कर रहे थे?

For converting these sentences into negative Interrogative sentences the formula is that you add ’were’ at the start of the sentence, then the subject and then ‘not’ and the rest of the rule remains the same.

were + [subject] + not + verb (root form) with ‘ing ’+ object(optional)?

Let us see some examples of Interrogative sentences with the formula for Past Continuous Tense when the Third Person is Plural:

1) Were we not studying hard for exams?

क्या हम परीक्षा के लिए कठिन अध्ययन नहीं कर रहे थे?

2) Were we not going to work everyday?

क्या हम रोज़ काम पर नहीं जा रहे थे?

3) Were we not sleeping late on Saturdays?

क्या हम शनिवार को देर से नहीं सो रहे थे?

4) Were we not watching a movie every week?

 क्या हम हर हफ्ते एक फिल्म नहीं देख रहे थे?

5) Were we not swimming on Sundays.

 क्या हम रविवार को तैराकी नहीं कर रहे थे?
Past Continuous Tense Formula for Second Person

The formula for Past Continuous Tense when there is a Second Person involvedare that the sentence starts with ‘you’, then a verb in its 1st form with ‘ing’, followed by an object which is optional.
So, we can say that the formula for Past Continuous Tense when a Second Person is involved is as follows -

‘You’ + were + verb(1st  form) with ‘ing’+ object (optional)

Let us see some example sentences with formula for Past Continuous Tense when a Second Person is involved:

1) You were studying hard for exams.

 आप परीक्षा के लिए कड़ी मेहनत कर रहे थे।

2) You were going to work every day.

आप हर दिन काम करने जा रहे थे।

3) You were sleeping late on Saturdays.

आप शनिवार को देर से सो रहे थे।

4) You were watching a movie every week.

 आप हर हफ्ते एक फिल्म देख रहे थे।

5) You were swimming on Sundays.

आप रविवार को तैराकी कर रहे थे।

For converting these sentences into negative sentences the formula is that you add ‘did not’ before the verb and the rest of the rule remains the same.

‘You’ + were + not + verb (1st  form) with ‘ing’+ object (optional)

Let us see some examples of negative sentences with the formula for Past Continuous Tense when there is a second person :

1) You were not studying hard for exams

आप परीक्षा के लिए कठिन अध्ययन नहीं कर रहे थे

2) You were not going to work everyday.

 आप रोज काम पर नहीं जा रहे थे।

3) You were not sleeping late on Saturdays.

 आप शनिवार को देर से नहीं सो रहे थे।

4) You were not watching a movie every week.

 आप हर हफ्ते एक फिल्म नहीं देख रहे थे।

5) You were not swimming on Sundays.

आप रविवार को तैराकी नहीं कर रहे थे।

For converting these sentences into Interrogative sentences the formula is that you add ‘were’  at the start of the sentence followed by ‘you’ and the rest of the rule remains the same.

‘Were’ + you + verb(1st  form) with ‘ing’+ object (optional)?

Let us see some examples of interrogative sentences with the formula for Past Continuous Tense when there is a Second Person Involved:

1) Were you studying hard for exams?

 क्या आप परीक्षा के लिए कठिन अध्ययन कर रहे थे?

2) Were you going to work everyday?

 क्या आप रोज़ काम करने जा रहे थे?

3) Were you sleeping late on Saturdays?

 क्या आप शनिवार को देर से सो रहे थे?

4) Were you watching a movie every week?

 क्या आप हर हफ्ते एक फिल्म देख रहे थे?

5) Were you swimming on Sunday?

क्या आप रविवार को तैराकी कर रहे थे?

For converting these sentences into negative Interrogative sentences the formula is that you add ‘were’ at the start of the sentence, then the subject and then ‘not’ and the rest of the rule remains the same.

‘Were’ + you + not + verb(1st  form) with ‘ing’+ object (optional)?

Let us see some examples of Interrogative sentences with the formula for Past Continuous Tense when there is a second person involved:

1) Were you not studying hard for exams?

क्या आप परीक्षा के लिए कठिन अध्ययन नहीं कर रहे थे?

 2) Were you not going to work everyday?

क्या आप रोज काम पर नहीं जा रहे थे?

3) Were you not sleeping late on Saturdays?

क्या आप शनिवार को देर से नहीं सो रहे थे?

4) Were you not watching a movie every week?

क्या आप हर हफ्ते फिल्म नहीं देख रहे थे?

5) Were you not swimming on Sundays?

क्या आप रविवार को नहीं तैर रहे थे?
Past Continuous Tense Formula for Third Person Singular

The formula for Past Continuous Tense when the Third Person is Singular are that the sentence starts with He, She, Common noun or proper noun, then a verb in its 1st form with ‘ing’  followed by an object which is optional.
So, we can say that the formula for Past Continuous Tense for Third Person Singular is as follows -

He/ She/ Common Nouns/ Proper Nouns + was + verb(1st  form) with ‘ing’+ object (optional)

Let us see some example sentences with formula for Past Continuous Tense when the Third Person is Singular:

1) He was studying hard for exams.

वह परीक्षा के लिए कड़ी मेहनत कर रहा था।

2) Father was going to work every day.

 पिता हर दिन काम पर जा रहे थे।

3) Ram was sleeping late on Saturdays.

राम शनिवार को  देर रात सो रहा था।

4) She was watching a movie every week.
वह हर हफ्ते एक फिल्म देख रही थी।

5) Sham was swimming on Sundays.

रविवार को शाम तैर रहा था।

For converting these sentences into negative sentences the formula is that you add ‘not’ before the verb and the rest of the rule remains the same.

He/ She/ Common Nouns/ Proper Nouns + was + verb(1st form) with ‘ing’+ object (optional)

Let us see some examples of negative sentences with the formula for Past Continuous Tense when the Third Person is Singular:

1) He was not studying hard for exams.

 वह परीक्षा के लिए कठिन अध्ययन नहीं कर रहा था

2) He was not going to work everyday.

वह रोज काम पर नहीं जा रहा था।

3) He was not sleeping late on Saturdays.

वह शनिवार को देर से नहीं सो रहा था।

4) He was not watching a movie every week.

 वह हर हफ्ते एक फिल्म नहीं देख रहा था।

5) He was not swimming on Sundays.

वह रविवार को तैराकी नहीं कर रहा था।

For converting these sentences into Interrogative sentences the formula is that you add ‘was’ at the start of the sentence followed by He/ She/ Common Nouns/ Proper Nouns and the rest of the rule remains the same.

Was + subject (He/ She/ Common Nouns/ Proper Nouns) + verb (root form) + object (optional)

Let us see some examples of Interrogative sentences with the formula for Past Continuous Tense when the Third Person is Singular:

1) Was he studying hard for exams?

क्या वह परीक्षा के लिए कठिन अध्ययन कर रहा था?

2) Was father going to work everyday?

क्या पिता रोज काम पर जा रहे थे?

3) Was Ram sleeping late on Saturdays?

क्या राम शनिवार की देर रात सो रहा था?

4) Was she watching a movie every week?

क्या वह हर हफ्ते एक फिल्म देख रही थी?

5) Was Sham swimming on Sundays?

क्या शाम रविवार को तैर रहा था ?

For converting these sentences into negative Interrogative sentences the formula is that you add ‘Was’ at the start of the sentence, then the subject and then ‘not’ and the rest of the rule remains the same.

Was + [subject] + not + verb (root form) with ‘ing’ + object(optional)?

Let us see some examples of Interrogative sentences with the formula for Past Continuous Tense when the Third Person is Singular:

1) Was he not studying hard for exams?

क्या वह परीक्षा के लिए कठिन अध्ययन नहीं कर रहा था?

2) Was father not going to work everyday?

क्या पिता रोज काम पर नहीं जा रहे थे?

3) Was Ram not sleeping late on Saturdays?

क्या राम शनिवार को देर से नहीं सो रहा था ?

4) Was she not watching a movie every week?

 क्या वह हर हफ्ते फिल्म नहीं देख रही थी?

5) Was Sham not swimming on Sundays?

क्या शाम रविवार को तैर नहीं रहा था ?

Past Continuous Tense Formula for Third Person Plural

The formula for Past Continuous Tense when the Third Person is Plural are that the sentence starts with ‘They’ or common nouns and ‘were’, then a verb in its 1st form with ‘ing’ followed by an object which is optional
So, we can say that the formula for Past Continuous Tense for Third Person Plural is as follows -

They/ Common Nouns + were + verb (1st  form) with ‘ing’+ object (optional)

Let us see some example sentences with formula for Past Continuous Tense when the Third Person is Plural:

1) They were studying hard for exams.

वे परीक्षा के लिए कठिन अध्ययन कर रहे थे।

2) Boys were going to work every day.

लड़के रोज काम पर जा रहे थे।

3) They were sleeping late on Saturdays.

 वे शनिवार को देर से सो रहे थे।

4) They were watching a movie every week.

वे हर हफ्ते एक फिल्म देख रहे थे।

5) Girls were swimming on Sundays

 लड़कियां रविवार को तैराकी कर रही थीं

For converting these sentences into negative sentences the formula is that you add ‘not’ before the verb and the rest of the rule remains the same.

They/ Common Nouns + were + ‘not’ + verb (1st  form) with ‘ing’+ object (optional)

Let us see some examples of negative sentences with the formula for Past Continuous Tense when the Third Person is Plural:

1) They were not studying hard for exams

वे परीक्षा के लिए कठिन अध्ययन नहीं कर रहे थे

2) They were not going to work everyday.

 वे रोज काम पर नहीं जा रहे थे।

3) They were not sleeping  late on Saturdays.

वे शनिवार को देर से नहीं सो रहे थे।

4) They were not watching a movie every week.

 वे हर हफ्ते एक फिल्म नहीं देख रहे थे।

5) They were not swimming on Sundays.

 वे रविवार को तैराकी नहीं कर रहे थे।

For converting these sentences into Interrogative sentences the formula is that you add ‘Were’ at the start of the sentence followed by ‘They/ Common nouns’ and the rest of the rule remains the same.

Were + they/ common nouns + verb (root form) + object(optional)?

Let us see some examples of Interrogative sentences with the formula for Past Continuous Tense when the Third Person is Plural:

1) Were they studying hard for exams?

क्या वे परीक्षा के लिए कठिन अध्ययन कर रहे थे?

2) Were they going to work everyday?
क्या वे रोज़ काम पर जा रहे थे ?

3) Were they sleeping late on Saturdays?

क्या वे शनिवार को देर से सो रहे थे?

4) Were they watching a movie every week?

क्या वे हर हफ्ते एक फिल्म देख रहे थे?

5) Were they swimming on Sundays?

क्या वे रविवार को तैराकी कर रहे थे?

For converting these sentences into negative Interrogative sentences the formula is that you add ‘were’ at the start of the sentence, then the subject and then ‘not’ and the rest of the rule remains the same.

Were + they/ common nouns + not + verb (root form) + object (optional)?

Let us see some examples of Interrogative sentences with the formula for Past Continuous Tense when the Third Person is Plural:

1) Were they not studying hard for exams?

 क्या वे परीक्षा के लिए कठिन अध्ययन नहीं कर रहे थे?

 2) Were they not going to work everyday?

क्या वे रोज काम पर नहीं जा रहे थे?

3) Were they not sleeping late on Saturdays?

क्या वे शनिवार को देर से नहीं सो रहे थे?

4) Were they not watching a movie every week?

क्या वे हर हफ्ते एक फिल्म नहीं देख रहे थे?

5) Were they not swimming on Sundays?
क्या वे रविवार को तैराकी नहीं कर रहे थे?
Past Continuous Tense Exercises

Translate the following sentences using the correct form of Past Continuous Tense. The answers follow -

1. मैं टेलीविज़न देख रही  थी।
2. हम दौड़ नहीं रहे थे।
3. क्या वह प्रतीक्षा कर रहा था ? 
4. वे गाना गा रहे थे।
5. बच्चे बिस्तर पर  सो रहे थे।

 Answers-

1. I was watching television.
2. We were not running.
3. Was he waiting?
4. They were singing a song.
5. Children were sleeping on the bed.