Impara il past continuous, il tempo che descrive un'azione in corso nel passato, spesso interrotta da un'altra. Corrisponde in genere all'imperfetto o a stavo + gerundio, ed è essenziale per raccontare storie.
I was working when you called.
Stavo lavorando quando hai chiamato.
She was reading a book.
Stava leggendo un libro.
They were playing football when it started to rain.
Stavano giocando a calcio quando ha cominciato a piovere.
What were you doing at 8 PM?
Cosa stavi facendo alle 8 di sera?
He was not sleeping.
Non stava dormendo.
The children were watching TV when I arrived.
I bambini stavano guardando la TV quando sono arrivato.
Were you listening to music?
Stavi ascoltando musica?
I was not watching that movie.
Non stavo guardando quel film.
She was writing an email when the power went out.
Stava scrivendo un'email quando è andata via la corrente.
Was he cooking dinner at 7 PM?
Stava preparando la cena alle 7?
We were learning English at that time.
In quel periodo stavamo imparando l'inglese.
The sun was shining all morning.
Il sole ha splenduto tutta la mattina.
Were they talking on the phone while you were here?
Stavano parlando al telefono mentre eri qui?
My mother was cooking dinner.
Mia madre stava preparando la cena.
I was not feeling well that day.
Quel giorno non mi sentivo bene.
Was she studying when you called?
Stava studiando quando hai chiamato?
The cat was sleeping on the sofa.
Il gatto stava dormendo sul divano.
What was happening there?
Cosa stava succedendo lì?
They were not answering their phones.
Non rispondevano ai loro telefoni.
Was it raining when you left?
Stava piovendo quando hai lasciato casa?
He was driving carefully.
Stava guidando con prudenza.
We were having dinner when the guests arrived.
Stavamo cenando quando sono arrivati gli ospiti.
Were you coming to the party?
Venivi alla festa?
The baby was crying all night.
Il bambino ha pianto tutta la notte.
I was getting tired.
Mi stavo stancando.
Was he working when you visited?
Stava lavorando quando gli hai fatto visita?
The birds were singing beautifully.
Gli uccelli cantavano meravigliosamente.
They were not waiting for us.
Non ci stavano aspettando.
What were they saying about me?
Cosa stavano dicendo di me?
She was getting ready for the party.
Si stava preparando per la festa.
Was anyone home when you arrived?
C'era qualcuno in casa al tuo arrivo?
The students were taking an exam.
Gli studenti stavano facendo un esame.
I was not staying long.
Non mi sarei fermato a lungo.
Were you enjoying yourself at the concert?
Ti stavi divertendo al concerto?
He was wearing a blue shirt.
Indossava una camicia blu.
What was she looking at so intently?
Cosa stava guardando con tanta attenzione?
The dog was barking at something.
Il cane stava abbaiando a qualcosa.
Were they leaving when you saw them?
Stavano andando via quando li hai visti?
I was thinking about you.
Stavo pensando a te.
She was not feeling comfortable in that situation.
Non si sentiva a suo agio in quella situazione.