Past Continuous Tense Hindi to English

 

What is the Past Continuous Tense?

The Past Continuous Tense is a verb tense used to describe an action that was happening or was in progress at a specific time in the past. It emphasizes the ongoing nature of an action rather than its completion. This tense is also used to describe an action that was interrupted by another action, two actions happening simultaneously in the past, or the background events in a story.

Formula

Subject + was/were + Verb (-ing) + Object

Examples

• I was reading a book at 8 p.m.

• She was cooking dinner when I arrived.

• They were playing football while it was raining.

• We were watching a movie yesterday evening.

• The children were studying when the teacher entered the classroom.

Key Point

The Past Continuous Tense focuses on an action that was in progress at a particular moment in the past, not on when the action started or ended.

Introduction to the Past Continuous Tense

The Past Continuous Tense is an important part of English grammar that helps us describe actions that were happening at a particular time in the past. Unlike the Simple Past Tense, which tells us that an action started and finished, the Past Continuous focuses on an action while it was in progress. It allows us to paint a clearer picture of past events by showing what someone was doing at a specific moment or when another action occurred.

For example, instead of simply saying, "She cooked dinner," we can say, "She was cooking dinner when her friend arrived." This not only tells us what happened but also explains that the action was already in progress before it was interrupted. Because of this, the Past Continuous Tense is widely used in storytelling, conversations, news reports, and everyday communication.

Learning the Past Continuous Tense will help you describe past situations more naturally and confidently. It is especially useful for narrating experiences, explaining events, and expressing two or more actions happening at the same time in the past.

In this lesson, you will learn the structure, formation, rules, uses, signal words, examples, and practice exercises of the Past Continuous Tense. With regular practice, you will be able to use this tense accurately in both spoken and written English, making your communication clearer, more fluent, and more engaging.

Past Continuous Tense – Standard Definition

The Past Continuous Tense is used to describe an action that was in progress at a specific time in the past. It emphasizes the duration or continuity of an action rather than its completion. This tense is also used to show that an action was happening when another action occurred, that two actions were taking place at the same time, or to set the background scene in a story.

The Past Continuous helps us describe situations that were ongoing, temporary, or interrupted in the past. It answers questions such as "What was happening?" or "What were they doing at that particular time?" Instead of focusing on the beginning or end of an action, it focuses on the action while it was in progress.

Structure

Subject + was/were + verb (-ing) + object

Main Uses of the Past Continuous Tense

1. To describe an action that was in progress at a particular time in the past.

   • I was reading a book at 8 p.m. yesterday.

   • She was preparing dinner when I called.

2. To describe an action that was interrupted by another action.

   • They were playing football when it started to rain.

   • I was sleeping when the alarm rang.

3. To describe two actions happening at the same time in the past.

   • While I was studying, my sister was watching television.

   • The children were singing while their parents were cooking.

4. To set the background of a story or describe a scene.

   • The sun was shining, the birds were singing, and people were enjoying the beautiful morning.

Key Point

The Past Continuous Tense focuses on an action that was ongoing at a particular moment in the past, whether it continued, was interrupted, or happened alongside another action.

Examples

• I was writing an email.

• We were waiting for the bus.

• He was learning English last year.

• They were discussing the project.

• The baby was sleeping peacefully.

👉 Super English Grammar

 Past Continuous

इस तरह के वाक्य से यह बोध होता है, कि कोई काम भूतकाल में कुछ समय के लिए चल रहा था और भूतकाल में ही खत्म हो गया । जिसका कोई समय -सीमा पता नहीं चल रहा हो ।

इस तरह कि वाक्य की पहचान – रहा था, रही थी , रहे थे ।

जैसे – वह खेल रहा था

      तुम पढ़ रहे थे ।

   

 तुम जा रहे थे ।

इसमें Verb का v4 रूप प्रयोग होता है ।

🟢 Past  Continuous 

    Structure : Subject + Was/Were + ing + obj.

1. मैं खाना खा रहा था। → I was eating food.

2. वह गाना गा रही थी। → She was singing a song.

3. वे क्रिकेट खेल रहे थे। → They were playing cricket.

4. हम स्कूल जा रहे थे। → We were going to school.

5. वह किताब पढ़ रहा था। → He was reading a book.

6. बच्चे सो रहे थे। → The children were sleeping.

7. मैं टीवी देख रहा था। → I was watching TV.

8. वह खाना बना रही थी। → She was cooking food.

9. वह रो रहा था। → He was crying.

10. मैं तुम्हारा इंतज़ार कर रहा था। → I was waiting for you.

11. वे फिल्म देख रहे थे। → They were watching a movie.

12. मैं गाना सुन रहा था। → I was listening to a song.

13. वह बाज़ार जा रही थी। → She was going to the market.

14. हम अंग्रेज़ी सीख रहे थे। → We were learning English.

15. वह मोबाइल चला रहा था। → He was using the mobile phone.

16. मैं बगीचे में टहल रहा था। → I was walking in the garden.

17. वे हंस रहे थे। → They were laughing.

18. वह पत्र लिख रही थी। → She was writing a letter.

19. मैं दूध पी रहा था। → I was drinking milk.

20. वे फुटबॉल खेल रहे थे। → They were playing football.

21. वह घर साफ कर रही थी। → She was cleaning the house.

22. मैं अपने दोस्त से बात कर रहा था। → I was talking to my friend.

23. वह कार चला रहा था। → He was driving a car.

24. बच्चे पार्क में खेल रहे थे। → The children were playing in the park.

25. मैं किताब ढूंढ रहा था। → I was looking for the book.

26. हम पार्टी मना रहे थे। → We were celebrating a party.

27. वह सोफ़े पर बैठी थी। → She was sitting on the sofa.

28. मैं स्कूल में पढ़ा रहा था। → I was teaching at school.

29. वे खाना खा रहे थे। → They were eating food.

30. वह मेरी मदद कर रहा था। → He was helping me.

31. मैं बारिश का मज़ा ले रहा था। → I was enjoying the rain.

32. वह तस्वीर बना रही थी। → She was drawing a picture.

33. हम कहानी सुन रहे थे। → We were listening to a story.

34. वे झगड़ रहे थे। → They were quarreling.

35. वह कुत्ते को खिला रहा था। → He was feeding the dog.

36. मैं तुम्हें ढूंढ रहा था। → I was looking for you.

37. वह नाच रही थी। → She was dancing.

38. हम सफर की तैयारी कर रहे थे। → We were preparing for the journey.

39. मैं कमरे की सजावट कर रहा था। → I was decorating the room.

40. वे मीटिंग कर रहे थे। → They were having a meeting.

41. वह मुझे कुछ समझा रहा था। → He was explaining something to me.

42. मैं कंप्यूटर पर काम कर रहा था। → I was working on the computer.

43. वह फूल तोड़ रही थी। → She was plucking flowers.

44. हम बस का इंतज़ार कर रहे थे। → We were waiting for the bus.

45. बच्चे नाच रहे थे। → The children were dancing.

46. मैं रास्ता भूल गया था और ढूंढ रहा था। → I was lost and looking for the way.

47. वे मज़ाक कर रहे थे। → They were joking.

48. वह अपने बाल संवार रही थी। → She was combing her hair.

49. मैं दौड़ रहा था। → I was running.

50. वह अपने पिता की मदद कर रहा था। → He was helping his father.

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🟢 Past  Continuous Negative 

    Negative : Subject + Was/Were Not + ing + obj.

1. मैं स्कूल नहीं जा रहा था।
   → I was not going to school.

2. वह खाना नहीं खा रही थी।
   → She was not eating food.

3. वे खेल नहीं रहे थे।
   → They were not playing.

4. हम फिल्म नहीं देख रहे थे।
   → We were not watching a movie.

5. तुम गाना नहीं गा रहे थे।
   → You were not singing a song.

6. वह सो नहीं रहा था।
   → He was not sleeping.

7. मैं टीवी नहीं देख रहा था।
   → I was not watching TV.

8. बच्चे पढ़ाई नहीं कर रहे थे।
   → The children were not studying.

9. वह बाज़ार नहीं जा रही थी।
   → She was not going to the market.

10. हम बात नहीं कर रहे थे।
    → We were not talking.

11. तुम हँस नहीं रहे थे।
    → You were not laughing.

12. वह घर नहीं आ रहा था।
    → He was not coming home.

13. मैं कंप्यूटर पर काम नहीं कर रहा था।
    → I was not working on the computer.

14. वे गीत नहीं सुन रहे थे।
    → They were not listening to songs.

15. वह किताब नहीं पढ़ रही थी।
    → She was not reading a book.

16. हम पार्क में नहीं टहल रहे थे।
    → We were not walking in the park.

17. तुम खेल नहीं खेल रहे थे।
    → You were not playing the game.

18. मैं पत्र नहीं लिख रहा था।
    → I was not writing a letter.

19. वह खाना नहीं बना रही थी।
    → She was not cooking food.

20. वे काम नहीं कर रहे थे।
    → They were not working.

21. वह नहीं बोल रहा था।
    → He was not speaking.

22. मैं साइकिल नहीं चला रहा था।
    → I was not riding a bicycle.

23. तुम ध्यान नहीं दे रहे थे।
    → You were not paying attention.

24. हम कुछ नहीं सीख रहे थे।
    → We were not learning anything.

25. बच्चे रो नहीं रहे थे।
    → The children were not crying.

26. वह मुझे नहीं देख रही थी।
    → She was not looking at me.

27. मैं इंतज़ार नहीं कर रहा था।
    → I was not waiting.

28. वे नाच नहीं रहे थे।
    → They were not dancing.

29. वह गाड़ी नहीं चला रहा था।
    → He was not driving the car.

30. हम परीक्षा की तैयारी नहीं कर रहे थे।
    → We were not preparing for the exam.

31. तुम मेरा नाम नहीं ले रहे थे।
    → You were not taking my name.

32. मैं दौड़ नहीं रहा था।
    → I was not running.

33. वह मोबाइल पर बात नहीं कर रही थी।
    → She was not talking on the phone.

34. वे कोई काम नहीं कर रहे थे।
    → They were not doing any work.

35. हम बारिश में नहीं चल रहे थे।
    → We were not walking in the rain.

36. मैं किताब नहीं ढूंढ रहा था।
    → I was not looking for the book.

37. वह हँस नहीं रही थी।
    → She was not laughing.

38. तुम ध्यान से नहीं सुन रहे थे।
    → You were not listening carefully.

39. वे वहाँ नहीं जा रहे थे।
    → They were not going there.

40. मैं सब्ज़ी नहीं खरीद रहा था।
    → I was not buying vegetables.

41. वह दूध नहीं पी रही थी।
    → She was not drinking milk.

42. हम झगड़ा नहीं कर रहे थे।
    → We were not fighting.

43. तुम अच्छा काम नहीं कर रहे थे।
    → You were not doing good work.

44. मैं नहा नहीं रहा था।
    → I was not taking a bath.

45. वह तुम्हारा इंतज़ार नहीं कर रही थी।
    → She was not waiting for you.

46. वे कुछ नहीं बोल रहे थे।
    → They were not saying anything.

47. हम बैठक में शामिल नहीं हो रहे थे।
    → We were not attending the meeting.

48. तुम मेरी मदद नहीं कर रहे थे।
    → You were not helping me.

49. मैं उसे नहीं सिखा रहा था।
    → I was not teaching him.

50. वह कपड़े नहीं धो रही थी।
    → She was not washing clothes.

 

🟢 Past  Continuous Interrogative Negative

Negative Interrogative : Was/Were subject + not + ing + obj.

1. क्या मैं नहीं जा रहा था?
   → Was I not going?

2. क्या वह नहीं खा रहा था?
   → Was he not eating?

3. क्या वे नहीं खेल रहे थे?
   → Were they not playing?

4. क्या तुम नहीं पढ़ रहे थे?
   → Were you not studying?

5. क्या वह नहीं रो रही थी?
   → Was she not crying?

6. क्या मैं तुम्हारा इंतज़ार नहीं कर रहा था?
   → Was I not waiting for you?

7. क्या बच्चे स्कूल नहीं जा रहे थे?
   → Were the children not going to school?

8. क्या वह गाना नहीं गा रही थी?
   → Was she not singing a song?

9. क्या हम बात नहीं कर रहे थे?
   → Were we not talking?

10. क्या वह किताब नहीं पढ़ रहा था?
    → Was he not reading the book?

11. क्या मैं टीवी नहीं देख रहा था?
    → Was I not watching TV?

12. क्या तुम खाना नहीं बना रहे थे?
    → Were you not cooking food?

13. क्या वह घर नहीं जा रही थी?
    → Was she not going home?

14. क्या वे हँस नहीं रहे थे?
    → Were they not laughing?

15. क्या वह दौड़ नहीं रहा था?
    → Was he not running?

16. क्या हम तुम्हारी मदद नहीं कर रहे थे?
    → Were we not helping you?

17. क्या तुम संगीत नहीं सुन रहे थे?
    → Were you not listening to music?

18. क्या मैं पानी नहीं पी रहा था?
    → Was I not drinking water?

19. क्या वह साइकिल नहीं चला रही थी?
    → Was she not riding a bicycle?

20. क्या वे काम नहीं कर रहे थे?
    → Were they not working?

21. क्या तुम किताब नहीं ढूँढ रहे थे?
    → Were you not looking for the book?

22. क्या मैं सो नहीं रहा था?
    → Was I not sleeping?

23. क्या वह मोबाइल नहीं चला रहा था?
    → Was he not using the phone?

24. क्या बच्चे झगड़ा नहीं कर रहे थे?
    → Were the children not fighting?

25. क्या वह गाड़ी नहीं चला रहा था?
    → Was he not driving the car?

26. क्या हम फिल्म नहीं देख रहे थे?
    → Were we not watching a movie?

27. क्या तुम सच्चाई नहीं बता रहे थे?
    → Were you not telling the truth?

28. क्या वह खाना नहीं खा रही थी?
    → Was she not eating food?

29. क्या वे हमें नहीं देख रहे थे?
    → Were they not looking at us?

30. क्या मैं गाना नहीं गा रहा था?
    → Was I not singing a song?

31. क्या वह सफाई नहीं कर रही थी?
    → Was she not cleaning?

32. क्या तुम बाथरूम नहीं जा रहे थे?
    → Were you not going to the bathroom?

33. क्या हम टिकट नहीं खरीद रहे थे?
    → Were we not buying tickets?

34. क्या वह रो नहीं रहा था?
    → Was he not crying?

35. क्या वे पढ़ाई नहीं कर रहे थे?
    → Were they not studying?

36. क्या मैं फोन नहीं कर रहा था?
    → Was I not making a call?

37. क्या तुम खेल नहीं रहे थे?
    → Were you not playing?

38. क्या वह कपड़े नहीं धो रही थी?
    → Was she not washing clothes?

39. क्या हम उसे नहीं देख रहे थे?
    → Were we not watching him?

40. क्या वे मिठाई नहीं खा रहे थे?
    → Were they not eating sweets?

41. क्या मैं कंप्यूटर नहीं चला रहा था?
    → Was I not operating the computer?

42. क्या वह तुम्हारे साथ बात नहीं कर रहा था?
    → Was he not talking to you?

43. क्या तुम मुझे नहीं सुन रहे थे?
    → Were you not listening to me?

44. क्या हम सड़क पर नहीं चल रहे थे?
    → Were we not walking on the road?

45. क्या वह स्कूल नहीं पढ़ा रही थी?
    → Was she not teaching at school?

46. क्या बच्चे सो नहीं रहे थे?
    → Were the children not sleeping?

47. क्या मैं परीक्षा की तैयारी नहीं कर रहा था?
    → Was I not preparing for the exam?

48. क्या वे ट्रेन का इंतज़ार नहीं कर रहे थे?
    → Were they not waiting for the train?

49. क्या तुम मेरे साथ नहीं जा रहे थे?
    → Were you not going with me?

50. क्या वह चित्र नहीं बना रही थी?
    → Was she not drawing a picture?

💡 WH-words                            

• What – क्या / क्या चीज़

• Where – कहाँ

• When – कब

• Why – क्यों

• Who – कौन

• Whose – किसका

• Which – कौन सा

• How – कैसे / कितना / किस तरह

• How many – कितने (countable)

• How much – कितना (uncountable)

🟢 Past Continuous Wh Questions

Wh question : Wh + Was/Were subject + ing + obj.

1. वह क्या कर रहा था? → What was he doing?

2. तुम कल रात क्या कर रहे थे? → What were you doing last night?

3. वे कहाँ जा रहे थे? → Where were they going?

4. वह क्यों रो रही थी? → Why was she crying?

5. वह किससे बात कर रहा था? → Who was he talking to?

6. तुम कल किससे मिल रहे थे? → Who were you meeting yesterday?

7. वह किसे देख रही थी? → Whom was she seeing?

8. वह किस बारे में सोच रहे थे? → What were they thinking about?

9. वह किस काम में व्यस्त था? → What work was he busy with?

10. बच्चे पार्क में क्या कर रहे थे? → What were the children doing in the park?

11. तुम कौन सा गाना गा रहे थे? → Which song were you singing?

12. वह कहाँ रह रहा था? → Where was he staying?

13. वह किसे ढूंढ रही थी? → Whom was she looking for?

14. तुम कितने बजे सो रहे थे? → At what time were you sleeping?

15. वे किस खेल में लगे हुए थे? → In which game were they engaged?

16. वह किसके साथ जा रही थी? → With whom was she going?

17. तुम किस काम में व्यस्त थे? → What work were you busy with?

18. वे क्यों हँस रहे थे? → Why were they laughing?

19. वह किस फिल्म को देख रहा था? → Which movie was he watching?

20. तुम किससे बात कर रहे थे? → Who were you talking to?

21. वह किस स्कूल में पढ़ रहा था? → Which school was he studying at?

22. बच्चे मछली पकड़ रहे थे कहाँ? → Where were the children fishing?

23. तुम किससे मिल रहे थे उस समय? → Who were you meeting at that time?

24. वह क्यों गा रही थी? → Why was she singing?

25. वह किस रास्ते से जा रहा था? → Which way was he going?

26. तुम किस किताब को पढ़ रहे थे? → Which book were you reading?

27. वह क्या खा रहा था? → What was he eating?

28. वे किस बारे में बात कर रहे थे? → What were they talking about?

29. वह किससे डर रही थी? → Whom was she afraid of?

30. तुम किसके साथ खेल रहे थे? → With whom were you playing?

31. बच्चे स्कूल क्यों जा रहे थे? → Why were the children going to school?

32. वह किसके लिए इंतजार कर रहा था? → Whom was he waiting for?

33. तुम कहाँ जा रहे थे? → Where were you going?

34. वह क्या देख रही थी? → What was she watching?

35. वे किस कमरे में थे? → In which room were they?

36. तुम किस समय उठ रहे थे? → At what time were you getting up?

37. वह किसे बुला रहा था? → Whom was he calling?

38. तुम किससे मिलने जा रहे थे? → Who were you going to meet?

39. वह क्यों सो रही थी? → Why was she sleeping?

40. बच्चे क्या खेल रहे थे? → What were the children playing?

41. तुम किस गाने पर नाच रहे थे? → On which song were you dancing?

42. वह किस दोस्त के साथ था? → With which friend was he?

43. तुम किस जगह पर काम कर रहे थे? → At which place were you working?

44. वह कौन सी फिल्म देख रही थी? → Which movie was she watching?

45. बच्चे स्कूल में क्या कर रहे थे? → What were the children doing in school?

46. वह किस समय वहाँ पहुँच रहा था? → At what time was he arriving there?

47. तुम किसका इंतजार कर रहे थे? → Whom were you waiting for?

48. वह किसके साथ बाहर जा रही थी? → With whom was she going out?

49. तुम क्या सोच रहे थे उस समय? → What were you thinking at that time?

50. वे किस बात पर हँस रहे थे? → What were they laughing at?

 

💡 WH-words used:                                    

• What – क्या / क्या चीज़

• Where – कहाँ

• When – कब

• Why – क्यों

• Who – कौन

• Whose – किसका

• Which – कौन सा

• How – कैसे / कितना / किस तरह

• How many – कितने (countable)

• How much – कितना (uncountable)

• 
  

🟢 Past  Continuous Wh Questions Negative 

Wh Questions Negative : Wh + Was/Were + subject + Not + ing + obj.

1. तुम कल क्या कर रहे नहीं थे? → What were you not doing yesterday?

2. वह स्कूल क्यों नहीं जा रहा था? → Why was he not going to school?

3. वे पार्क में खेल क्यों नहीं रहे थे? → Why were they not playing in the park?

4. आप कल किससे नहीं बात कर रहे थे? → Who were you not talking to yesterday?

5. वह कितने बजे सो नहीं रहा था? → At what time was he not sleeping?

6. बच्चे क्या खा नहीं रहे थे? → What were the children not eating?

7. वह मुझसे क्यों नहीं मिल रहा था? → Why was he not meeting me?

8. तुम कौन सा काम कर नहीं रहे थे? → Which work were you not doing?

9. वह फिल्म क्यों नहीं देख रहा था? → Why was he not watching the movie?

10. आप कल कितने बजे बाहर नहीं जा रहे थे? → At what time were you not going out yesterday?

11. वे किससे खेल नहीं रहे थे? → Who were they not playing with?

12. उसने अपना होमवर्क क्यों नहीं कर रहा था? → Why was he/she not doing his/her homework?

13. तुम कहाँ नहीं जा रहे थे? → Where were you not going?

14. वह कौन सा गीत नहीं गा रहा था? → Which song was he/she not singing?

15. बच्चे क्यूँ नहीं नहा रहे थे? → Why were the children not bathing?

16. तुम किससे फोन पर बात नहीं कर रहे थे? → Who were you not talking to on the phone?

17. वह किसको बुला नहीं रहा था? → Who was he/she not calling?

18. वे क्यों हँस नहीं रहे थे? → Why were they not laughing?

19. तुम क्या नहीं पढ़ रहे थे? → What were you not reading?

20. वह कौन सा खेल नहीं खेल रहा था? → Which game was he/she not playing?

21. आप क्या नहीं लिख रहे थे? → What were you not writing?

22. वह किसके लिए इंतजार नहीं कर रहा था? → Who was he/she not waiting for?

23. बच्चे क्यों नहीं सो रहे थे? → Why were the children not sleeping?

24. तुम कौन सा खाना नहीं खा रहे थे? → Which food were you not eating?

25. वह कौन सा काम कर नहीं रहा था? → Which work was he/she not doing?

26. आप किसके साथ नहीं चल रहे थे? → Who were you not walking with?

27. वे कहाँ नहीं जा रहे थे? → Where were they not going?

28. तुम किसके बारे में सोच नहीं रहे थे? → Who/what were you not thinking about?

29. वह कौन सा गाना नहीं सुन रहा था? → Which song was he/she not listening to?

30. बच्चे क्यों खेल नहीं रहे थे? → Why were the children not playing?

31. तुम कल किससे मिलने नहीं जा रहे थे? → Who were you not going to meet yesterday?

32. वह क्यों बात नहीं कर रहा था? → Why was he/she not talking?

33. आप कौन सी किताब नहीं पढ़ रहे थे? → Which book were you not reading?

34. वे किसके साथ नहीं खेल रहे थे? → Who were they not playing with?

35. वह कहाँ नहीं जा रहा था? → Where was he/she not going?

36. तुम कौन सा काम कर नहीं रहे थे? → Which task were you not doing?

37. बच्चे किस खेल में नहीं भाग ले रहे थे? → Which game were the children not participating in?

38. तुम किसको नहीं देख रहे थे? → Who were you not seeing?

39. वह किसके बारे में नहीं सोच रहा था? → Who/what was he/she not thinking about?

40. आप क्यों नहीं हँस रहे थे? → Why were you not laughing?

41. वह कौन सा खाना नहीं खा रहा था? → Which food was he/she not eating?

42. तुम कल कहाँ नहीं जा रहे थे? → Where were you not going yesterday?

43. वे किसको बुला नहीं रहे थे? → Who were they not calling?

44. वह क्या नहीं कर रहा था? → What was he/she not doing?

45. बच्चे किस खेल में शामिल नहीं हो रहे थे? → Which game were the children not participating in?

46. तुम किससे बात नहीं कर रहे थे? → Who were you not talking to?

47. वह किसके लिए इंतजार नहीं कर रहा था? → Who was he/she not waiting for?

48. आप कौन सा गाना नहीं गा रहे थे? → Which song were you not singing?

49. वे क्यों बाहर नहीं जा रहे थे? → Why were they not going outside?

50. तुम क्या नहीं पढ़ रहे थे? → What were you not reading?