|
PAST CONTINUOUS |
PRESENT PERFECT CONTINUOUS |
PAST PERFECT CONTINUOUS |
|
IT IS USED TO TALK ABOUT AN ACTION IN PROGRESS AT THE POINT IN TIME OR IN THE PERIOD OF TIME IN THE PAST:
I WAS COOKING AT 8 YESTERDAY.
SHE WAS SLEEPING IN THE MORNING.
IT IS USED TO TALK ABOUT A PROCESS IN PROGRESS IN THE PAST:
IT WAS GETTING DARKER.
THE PRICES WERE RISING. |
IT IS USED TO TALK ABOUT AN ACTION IN PROGRESS THAT STARTED IN THE PAST AND CONTINUES UNTIL NOW:
I HAVE BEEN STUDYING HARD THIS WEEKEND
THEY HAVE BEEN ARGUING FOR HOURS NOW
IT IS USED TO EXPRESS AN ACTION IN PROGRESS THAT STARTED IN THE PAST AND HAS CONTINUED UNTIL RECENTLY OR UNTIL NOW. THE ACTION MAY HAVE JUST FINISHED AND WE CAN FEEL, HEAR, OR SEE ITS RESULT IN THE PRESENT:
THE GROUND IS SO WET. IT HAS BEEN RAINING A LOT. |
IT IS USED TO EXPRESS AN ACTION IN PROGRESS BEFORE ANOTHER ACTION IN THE PAST:
I HAD BEEN SINGING BEFORE YOU WALKED IN
THEY HAD BEEN WATCHING TV FOR 2 HOURS WHEN THEIR FRIENDS ARRIVED |
