Spotlight
Used to
 She used to be a long-distance runner when she was younger.
 I didn't use to sleep very well, but then I started doing yoga and it really helps.
 Did you use to come here as a child?
 She's used to the city now and doesn't get lost any more.
 He wasn't used to walking so much and his legs hurt after the hike.
 I‘m a teacher so I'm used to speaking in public.
 I'm finding this new job hard but I'm sure I'll get used to it soon.
 It took my mother years to get used to living in London after
moving from Pakistan.
 I'm getting used to the noise now. I found it really stressful when I
first moved in.
PAST SIMPLE TENSE
TOBE
(I/ he/ she/ it + was)
(They/ we/ you + were)
Negative
Question
(Irregular verb)
(Regular verb)
Subject + Past simple
Subject + was/ were + …
Positive
OTHER VERBS
I was sick yesterday.
She went shopping last month.
They were sick last week.
We got up late yesterday.
Subject + was/ were + not + …
Subject + did not + Verb /infinitive/
Was not = wasn’t
Did not = didn’t
Were not = weren’t
I wasn’t sick yesterday.
She didn’t go shopping last month.
They weren’t sick last week.
We didn’t get up late yesterday.
Were/ was + Subject + …?
Did + Subject + Verb /infinitive/ ?
Were you sick yesterday?
Did she go shopping last month?
Were they sick last week?
Did you get up late yesterday?
PAST CONTINUOUS TENSE
Subject + was/ were + Verb - ing
Батлах
She was cooking when I came.
Subject + was/ were + not + Verb - ing
Үгүйсгэх
was not = wasn’t
were not = weren’t
She wasn’t cooking when I came.
Was/ were + Subject + Verb – ing ?
Асуух
Was she cooking when you came?
Usages
Past simple
after another
She came home, switched on the
computer and checked her e-mails.
Past continuous
at the same time
Simon was playing on the computer
while his brother was watching TV.
Past simple
new action
My mobile rang (while I was sitting in a
meeting.)
Past continuous
action already in progress
While I was sitting in a meeting, (my
mobile suddenly rang.)
Past simple
just mentioning
Colin played football yesterday.
Past continuous
emphasising progress
Yesterday at six o'clock, Colin was
playing football.
Example









I was watching TV when she called.
When the phone rang, she was writing a letter.
While we were having the picnic, it started to rain.
What were you doing when the earthquake started?
I was listening to my iPod, so I didn't hear the fire alarm.
You were not listening to me when I told you to turn the oven off.
While John was sleeping last night, someone stole his car.
Sammy was waiting for us when we got off the plane.
While I was writing the email, the computer suddenly went off.
 A: What were you doing when you broke your leg?
B: I was snowboarding.
Parallel actions
 I was studying while he was making dinner.
 While Ellen was reading, Tim was watching television.
 Were you listening while he was talking?
 I wasn't paying attention while I was writing the letter, so I made several mistakes.
 What were you doing while you were waiting?
 Thomas wasn't working, and I wasn't working either.
 They were eating dinner, discussing their plans, and having a good time
Atmosphere
When I walked into the office, several people were busily typing, some were
talking on the phones, the boss was yelling directions, and customers were
waiting to be helped. One customer was yelling at a secretary and waving his
hands. Others were complaining to each other about the bad service.