The Past Progressive is used to express:
1.Action going on at a given past moment
-markers: at … o’clock yesterday, at that moment, at midnight, all day, from 5 till 6 yesterday, the whole evening,
-another past action in the past simple: e.g. He was playing when he saw her
He hurt his leg while he was running.
-context (to stress process): e.g. They sat and talked. I was listening.
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2.Action going on at a given period in the past. Time specification may or not be present (all day, all that year, yesterday, the whole morning, from … till ..) Past Simple expresses a FACT, Past Progressive expresses a PROCESS.
e.g. What were you doing there? I was looking for my wife.Roy was keeping to his room all day.
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3.Actions generally characterizing a person bringing out his personal traits. (Always with: ALWAYS, CONSTANTLY, CONTINUALLY)
e.g. She was constantly complaining of headaches.
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4.Future action viewed from the past. (actions are supposed to take place due to one’s own previous decision). Time indication not necessary + usually with the verbs of motion)
e.g. Why didn’t you tell me you were coming. I thought you were never coming. (irritation)
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5.Past Progressive is used in Descriptions
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Restrictions on the use of the Past Progressive are the same as for the Present Progressive
Not used with To love to forget to wish to see to be to like to remember to know to hear to need To hate to want to believe to understand
