Jerónimo's Lesson

Present and Past tenses: continuous tense.

The children were shouting when the teacher came in.

My parents are looking for a new apartment.

I‘m reading a very good book at the moment.

When the fire started I was watching television.

It was snowing yesterday.

Juan is starting a new job next week.

Continuous Tenses

Present

Past

• Actions happening now.
• Actions around the time of speaking.
• Temporary situations.
• Future arrangements.

• An action which was in progress at a stated time in the past (we don't know when the action started or finished).
• A past action which was in progress when another action interrupted.
• Two or more actions happening at the same time in past.

Present (Am - Is - Are)

Past (Was - Were)

She was talking on her phone mobile while she was waiting for the aeroplane to take off.

Alexander is tasting his cake frosting to see if it needs more sugar.

Shorter action (past simple)

Longer action (past continuous)