The imperfect progressive cannot be used for descriptions, states of being, conditions, age, time or habitual actions. You were just wathing YouTube when the police came. English Phrases – Past Continuous Esercizio di grammatica inglese: traduzione e formulazioni di frasi in inglese con l’utilizzo del Past Continuous 1) I was thinking of you yesterday. However, if you wish to indicate a habitual action in the past, you must use the imperfect: Did you know that the imperfect progressive is more commonly used in some dialects of Spanish than others? It rained when we left the apartment, so we took the umbrella. I was driving near my house when. The imperfect progressive tense is formed by combining the imperfect tense of estar(to be) with a gerund. Kathy was injuring her knee when we played tennis on Saturday. The past continuous describes actions or events in a time before now, which began in the past and were still going on when another event occurred. In inglese il Past Continuous, chiamato anche Past Progressive. Click here for more information on the distinction between the preterite and imperfect tenses. Lui parlava di continuo con tutti. Corretto! Students mime an action and when their partner is sure what it is they shout “Stop!” They then guess the action with the sentence “When I shouted stop, you were + ing…”, e.g. Print in b/w; or color for projectors or laminated prints. The examples below show their various uses. When the phone rang, he was writing a letter. en la biblioteca cuando empezó el simulacro de incendio. When I walked into the office, several people were busily typing, some were talking on the phones. was sleeping; were sleeping; is sleeping; 2. Tu non stavi guardando TV quando lui ha chiamato. / 2. Last night, at 10 p.m., I was having a dinner. Ciò significa che in inglese, noi spesso andremo ad utilizzare una serie di azioni parallele per descrivere l’atmosfera creatasi in un particolare momento trascorso. Cosa stavi facendo quando ti sei rotto la gamba? 10. 6. Stavi guardando la TV quando lui ha chiamato. continual nature of an action, especially if it is interrupted by another action. 4. Le frasi interrogative si compongono invertendo il posto del soggetto con quello di was/were. She was always coming to work late. Quinto utilizzo è quello della ripetizione con la parola always/sempre. The ceiling fell down while. The past continuous refers to a "longer" or "background" action that was in progress to indicate that a longer action in the past was interrupted; The past simple refers to a “ shorter” action that interrupted the longer action, or happened in the middle of it. 7. Check out this article to review irregular preterite verbs, and this one for imperfect verbs. past continuous : past simple : At 8am yesterday I was working. / 5. gave . Oppure per dimostrare che due azioni in corso si stavano svolgendo contemporaneamente. Stavi guardando TV quando lui ha chiamato? 1. Then just add verb-ing. Were you watching TV when he called? YESTERDAY AT 3 O’ CLOCK I WAS SLEEPING. See these pages: Past tense; Verbs in time clauses and conditionals; Wishes and hypotheses; Back Next. Cosa stavi facendo mentre aspettavi? In Spanish, there are two simple past tenses: the preterite and the imperfect. : Il past continuous descrive un'azione che era in corso di svolgimento in un momento definito del passato e viene utilizzato soprattutto nei seguenti due casi: 1) In frasi che descrivono due azioni passate, una che inizia e finisce nel passato (past simple) e una che continua nel passato (past continuous). Advertisements . 1. actions were in progress around a time in the past. Carol was at my home when you arrived. The bird attacked me while. Note that each tense has one set of endings for -ar verbs, and another for -er and -ir verbs. past continuous tense . Primo utilizzo è quello di un’azione interrotta nel passato. How can we make the past continuous? Correct! Esercizi gratuiti per imparare l'Inglese: Past perfect or past perfect continuous? Sono corrette? 1. Yesterday at 1 p.m. Mentre facevamo un picnic, ha cominciato a piovere. In inglese il past continuous con l’aiuto di parole come always/sempre o constantly/continuamente, incessantemente. It is used: Often, to describe the background in a story written in the past tense, e.g. Past perfect simple 8. What were you doing while you were waiting? Tu stavi solo guardando YouTube quando è arrivata la polizia. Let's take a look at some more examples: Present Continuous Passive - 'My car is being fixed.' Past Continuous Passive - 'The bridge was being painted by the workers.' Esercizi su past simple vs continuous e sulle differenze tra il past simple e il past continuous (progressive) The table below shows an example conjugation of the verb jugar(to play). Past Continuous Mimes. The table below shows how to conjugate the verbs caminar(to walk) and correr(to run) in both the preterite and imperfect. I was watching a movie when he arrived home. / 6. A few minutes ago, they were still dancing. State Verbs. Some stative verbs can be used as action verbs so there are some exceptions. Altri si stavano lamentando tra loro del cattivo servizio. There are so many different verb tenses that we use to talk about the past in Spanish. Questo è un tempo verbale che viene usato per mostrare un’azione che si stava svolgendo nel passato ed è stata all’improvviso interrotta da una seconda azione. Collocamento degli avverbi con il passato continuo. Questo concetto è molto simile all’espressione used to/abituato a, ma ha una connotazione negativa. Past perfect simple / continuous. Irregular verbs do not follow the same rules. Esercizi gratuiti per imparare l'Inglese: Past simple or past continuous? Susan was listen ing to the radio yesterday evening. Both are formed by subtracting the infinitive ending (-ar, -er or -ir), and replacing it with another. Grammar Board Game Past Continuous 36 squares, each asking about what that person was doing at a specific time (speak for at least 1minute per roll). Have / have got 12. 4. Ieri alle 13, ho pranzato. While we were having a picnic, it started to rain. While esprime l’idea di “durante quel tempo”. Past Continuous Passive - 'The meeting was being held in my office.' 5 When they saw her, she was crying. Nel Past Continuous invece abbiamo una regola per cui solamente un momento specifico interrompe l’azione. Comunque, possiamo anche usare un tempo specifico come interruzione. Stavo guardando un film quando lui è tornato a casa. The Past Continuous is used when we talk about something which was happening at a special time in the past. When I called her, she was studying. He was drinking beer when he suddenly feltsick. They were drinking wine, discussing their holiday and having good time. The continuing action is past continuous and the interrupting action is simple past. L’interruzione è di norma fatta da un’azione più breve espressa con il passato semplice. ? I had lived in New York City before. The past continuous and continuous forms, in general, are used with action verbs such as talk, drive, play, etc. Were they painting the room when the accident happened? I was singing while he was playing the guitar. This point can be implied or expressed with a time expression or a clause with a verb in the past simple tense: At 9 o'clock, I was sitting on the train. Present Continuous Passive - 'The meeting is being held in my office.' Stavo solo giocando a tennis quando sei comparso. Carola era a casa mia quando tu sei arrivata. Past continuous e Past simple 4 Segna ( ) le frasi corrette. Alcune proposizioni iniziano con la parola when/quando come when she called/quando lei ha chiamato, o when he arrived/quando lui arrivò. Comparativo e superlativo 14. Secondo utilizzo è quello di un tempo specifico come interruzione. The past continuous can be used to suggest that an activity was in progress at every moment during a period of time. (past continuous) 1. SpanishDict is the world's most popular Spanish-English dictionary, translation, and learning website. When expressed in its interrogative form, it is used to ask questions about things that were happening in a past period of time. 1 When Mia arrived home, I was making dinner. "The sun was shining and the birds were singing as the elephant came out of the jungle.

• John’s daughter was sleeping when he called her at 8pm. She was singing her last song when. Esprime l’idea che qualcosa di irritante o di scioccante stesse succedendo spesso nel passato. Esercizi di inglese su uso e formazione del past continuous - progressive. did you do . Continuous: HAD BEEN + V-ing An action started in the past and continued up until another time in the past ( had been living, had been singing …). A questo proposito, anche alcuni significati non continui dei verbi misti, cioè verbi che hanno più di un significato, non possono venir usati nei tempi continui. Ieri alle 13 stavo pranzando. In Spanish, there are two simple past tenses: the preterite and the imperfect. Before talking about the differences between the simple past and past continuous, let's review their verb conjugations. Ieri, a quest’ora, stavo passeggiando sulla spiaggia. They were expecting a guest.. 2. Going to (futuro) 11. They (play) at five o'clock. La note passata, alle 10, stavo cenando. // 5. were you doing . Note that each t… Il past continuous è usato per descrivere un'azione progressiva nel passato (l'azione inizia e finisce nel passato). 3 While I was doing my homework, I listen to some music.Why 4 The participant was answering a question when the show ended. Before talking about the differences between the simple past and past continuous, let's review their verb conjugations. ( had lived, had sung …). With a modal verb: Wh- question word + modal verb (past form) + subject + verb + …? I was having lunch. Were you listening while the teacher was explaining? Il Past Continuous si forma usando was/were + il participio presente. When you … In inglese usiamo quindi il Past Continuous per indicare che un’azione nel passato che durava più a lungo fosse stata interrotta. // 3. Carol was being at my home when you arrived. Past perfect continuous 9. Le … The following examples show incorrect uses of the imperfect progressive: In many instances, it is grammatically correct to use either the imperfect or imperfect progressive tenses. Subject + Was/Were + Verb + ING. I fell off my bike when. Stavo studiando quando lei ha chiamato. 5 When they saw her, she was crying. 2 We watched TV when the phone rang. Past Continuous Examples: I was sleeping. Stavo ascoltando il mio iPod, quindi non ho sentito il campanello. It is more commonly used to emphasize the continual nature of an action, especially if it is interrupted by another action. was giving . Mentre parlavo con mia sorella, il telefono squillò. What were you doing when you broke your leg? I was listening to my iPod, so I didn’t hear the bell. Past continuous and Past simple 4 Segna ( ) le frasi corrette. Categoria: Lezioni di Inglese | Articolo scritto da: Scuola Inglese Roma, Corsi di Inglese per adultiCorsi intensivi di IngleseCorsi Full ImmersionCorsi di business EnglishCorsi di Inglese giuridicoCorsi di Inglese per bambiniCorsi di recupero di IngleseCorsi di Inglese per professionistiCorsi per esami e certificazioniAltro, Accetto i termini e le condizioni stabilite sulla Privacy Policy *, © 2020 www.scuolaingleseroma.it Scuola Inglese Roma S.r.l. Le frasi interrogative si compongono invertendo il posto del soggetto con quello di was/were. The point emphasized is on the activity in the time before the interruption. Quando si usa il Past Continuous. Why were they picking the flowers?? IERI ALLE 3 STAVO DORMENDO / DORMIVO. Others were complaining to each other about the bad service. Past continuous frasi affermative negative e interrogative. Terzo utilizzo è quello delle azioni parallele. Wrong! Altre proposizioni cominciano con while/mentre come while I was eating/mentre stavo mangiando e while he was sleeping/mentre lui stava dormendo. Quando il telefono squillò, lui stava scrivendo una lettera. Le frasi negative vengono create con la particella di negazione not. The past continuous describes a longer action or situation and the past simple describes a shorter action or event. While the police officer was talking to me. L'azione può essere interrotta da un'azione più breve (past simple) o da un'ora specifica, per esempio: I was preparing dinner when he arrived. The past continuous (or progressive) is the tense used to express situations that take place in the past and were in progress at any moment during a period of time. Lei veniva sempre tardi a lavoro. Quarto utilizzo è quello che da idea dell’atmosfera. These actions are usually no longer … 6 Dan was sleeping when the film was finishing. In English, there is only one simple past tense, but in Spanish there are two: the preterite and the imperfect. English Exercises Present Simple Be Affirmative And Negative Exercises present simple and present continuous i. Present continuous 3. For example, Spanish speakers in the United States tend to use it more frequently due to the influence of the English language. The short action in past simple often interrupts the longer action in past continuous. I was riding a bicycle. While I was talking to my sister, the phone rang. 6 Dan was sleeping when the film was finishing. My team was losing the match when. In / at / on 13. Per chi vuole consultare il Past Simple. The past continuous tense is used to refer to actions that were in progress at or around a specific point in time in the past. Similar to the imperfect, the imperfect progressive is used to talk about ongoing actions in the past. The continuous form is not used with stative verbs such as 'be', 'seem', 'taste', etc. / 8. He was constantly talking with everyone. FRASI INIZIALI: 1. 11. Who ..... you that watch? The structure of wh- questions in past form is: With an auxiliary verb: Wh- question word + auxiliary verb (past form) + subject + verb +…? The continuous past is a verbal time similar to the gerund in spanish and that allows to express actions of the past that happened in a certain moment. Pair work or small groups I was studying when she phoned. L’enfasi è posta sull’azione, su ciò che stava succedendo in un determinato momento o periodo. / 4. What ..... at 11 pm last night? Past continuous is used to show an action that was continuing in the past until another action interrupted it. All the students were listening to the professor's lecture very carefully. ¡Cuidado!(Careful!) In this article, we will focus on the difference between the simple past tenses (preterite and imperfect) and the past continuous tense (imperfect progressive). I was only playing tennis when you showed up. In the past tense (both simple and continuous), we use the past forms of the auxiliary and modal verbs. Tag questions 15. Una nota importante per distinguere i due tempi verbali è la seguente: nel passato semplice un momento specifico viene usato per indicare quando un’azione è cominciato o quando è finita. The women were cleaning all the blinds. The past continuous tense is used to describe actions that began in the past and often continued for a short period of time after the action started. repeated actions without a defined beginning and end. They were watching the newest videos.. 5. Who was taking care of the baby?? The boss was screaming directions and customers were waiting to be helped. We didn’t go out because it was raining. Yesterday, at this time, I was walking at the beach. Past continuous 7. past continuous - progressive esercizi di inglese esercizi present simple e continuous past simple vs past continuous past perfect present perfect. / 3. You were not watching TV when he called. Firstly, check that you know how to make the past simple with 'be' (subject + was / were). Past continuous Si usa per parlare di un’azione passata nel suo svolgimento. 1 When Mia arrived home, I was making dinner. When the accident happened. A2 Grammar topics. Past Continuous Structure. Will (futuro) 10. She was studying in the library when the fire drill started. Nel primo utilizzo, descritto appena sopra, il Past Continuous è interrotto da un’azione più breve espressa con il passato semplice. Il Past Continuous si forma usando was/were + il participio presente. Quando infatti parliamo di azioni nel passato, la parola when è molto spesso seguita dal tempo verbale Past Simple, mentre while viene di solito seguito dal Past Continuous. This tense is most similar to the imperfect, but places even more emphasis on the ongoing nature of an action. Yesterday at 1 p.m. Iscriviti al mio canale YouTube ️ https://bit.ly/2WfZ3GY ⬅️ per non perdere i prossimi video in anteprima! He was playing football when he broke her arm. LearnEnglish Subscription: self-access courses for professionals. Anna (sleep) at two o'clock. PAST CONTINUOUS: completa le frasi usando i finali corretti. I lived in Miami, Florida. 2 We watched TV when the phone rang. .

* Remember: this can be a real interruption or just an interruption in time! Log in or register to post comments; Comments. Here is an example: I was sleeping when you called me. When do we use the Past Continuous? When I met Susan she was having a drink at a terrace with a friend. In Spanish, the past continuous or past progressive is used to talk about continuous actions in the past, especially when they are interrupted by another action. HOWEVER; Past Perfect Continuous Tense is used to express a past action which started in the past and continued to happen after another action or time in the past. / 7. // 2. Gli esempi sotto mostrano il collocamento corretto per avverbi come always/sempre, only/solo, solamente, never/mai, still/ancora, just/solo, ever/in ogni momento, mai e coì via. We were waiting for the bus when we saw a car accident. She was going to class when she saw Maria. La regola in questi casi prevede che dobbiamo sempre mettere le parole always e constantly tra il verbo “be” e “verbo+ing”. Past Continuous. I had lunch. had you done . Il capo gridava direttive e i clienti aspettavano di essere aiutati. Ricordiamo inoltre che in inglese i così detti verbi non-continui, e cioè verbi che non esprimono delle azioni continue, non possono  essere usati con nessun tempo verbale continuo. Stavo andando in bicicletta. Ricordiamo che si può trattare sia di un’interruzione reale, sia di un’interruzione nel tempo. The past continuous is often used together with the simple past to show that one thing happened while another thing was in progress: 1. 2. 3. Present perfect simple or Past simple 4. Both are formed by subtracting the infinitive ending (-ar, -er or -ir), and replacing it with another. She took a photo as we were getting out of the bus. (In such sentences, Past Perfect Continuous Tense tell us “how long the action had continued” or ” the duration of the action” is … Quando sono entrato nell’ufficio alcuni impiegati erano occupati scrivendo, altri stavano parlando al telefono. We can also use the past continuous to refer to the present or future in hypotheses (when we imagine something). Io cantavo mentre lui suonava. Put the following sentences into passive voice. Ascoltavi mentre il professore spiegava? Past Simple 6. Quando usiamo il past continuous con due azioni nella stessa frase, esso esprime l’idea per cui entrambe le azioni stavano succedendo nello stesso tempo. Loro stavano bevendo vino, parlando della loro vacanza e divertendosi. You were wathing TV when he called. The past continuous is used to talk about actions or situations that were in progress at a particular point of time in the past. // 4. | P.IVA 15053271001 | Codice Rea: RM - 1565404 | Capitale sociale: Euro 10.000 | Pec: scuolaingleseroma@postacertificata.com, Il presente sito utilizza unicamente cookie tecnici al fine di migliorare l'esperienza di navigazione, maggiori informazioni sono accessibili attraverso il pulsante "Cookie Policy", Livelli di Inglese A1 – A2 – B1 – B2 – C1 – C2. / 9. They were dancing. Present perfect continuous or Present perfect simple 5. Leggi queste frasi con il PAST SIMPLE e il PAST CONTINUOUS. Non corretto! Questo è  un argomento di Grammatica Inglese principale e importante che viene studiato molto in tutti i corsi di inglese. 3 While I was doing my homework, I listen to some music.Why 4 The participant was answering a question when the show ended. Le proposizioni sono gruppi di parole che hanno un significato ma spesso non sono delle frasi complete. I was talking on the phone when my sister arrived. Simple: HAD + past participle An action occurred before another action in the past. Come viene utilizzato il past continuous in inglese? Past Continuous Passive - 'My car was being fixed.' The chef wasn't cooking the meat.. 3. When the phone rang during Bill's dinner, he was anwering the phone. Past Continuous Uses. Past continuous and hypotheses. This tense describes actions or events that happened at a specific time in the past. “When I shouted stop, you were polishing your fingernails on your shirt to show how proud you are”. It is also called the Past Progressive. The preterite is used to talk about completed actions in the past, while the imperfect is used for repeated actions without a defined beginning and end. The following examples illustrate its use: While the imperfect and imperfect progressive tenses can be used interchangeably in some circumstances, this is not always the case. You went to the market three times yesterday.