How to Master Past Continuous Tense for IELTS Success?

The Past continuous tense is a crucial grammar structure that frequently appears in IELTS exams, particularly in Writing Task 2 and Speaking Part 2. Understanding its proper usage can significantly enhance your band score.

Understanding Past Continuous Tense Structure and Usage

Structure and Formation

The past continuous is formed using:
Subject + was/were + verb-ing

Examples:

• I was studying when my friend called.
• They were playing tennis at 3 PM yesterday.
• She was preparing dinner while the children were watching TV.

Similar to the Past perfect continuous passive, this tense emphasizes ongoing actions in the past.

Common Uses in IELTS Context

1. Describing Background Situations

• The sun was shining brightly during our outdoor festival.
• People were queueing outside the theater when it started raining.

2. Interrupted Actions

When studying the Past Perfect Continuous, you’ll notice how it differs from interrupted actions in past continuous:

• I was walking home when I met my old teacher.
• While she was cooking, the phone rang.

Past Continuous Usage in Interrupted Actions

Application in IELTS Writing

Task 2 Examples

Consider this sample from a recent IELTS essay:

“While governments were focusing on economic growth, environmental issues were becoming increasingly severe. This situation demonstrates how development and sustainability need careful balance.”

Task 1 Applications

For trend descriptions:
“Between 2010 and 2015, the population was steadily increasing at a rate of 2% annually.”

Speaking Test Implementation

The Past perfect continuous tense often complements past continuous in speaking responses:

Part 2 Example:
“Last summer, I visited my hometown. Children were playing in the streets, and elderly people were sitting outside their houses, just like they did when I was young.”

Common Mistakes to Avoid

1. Incorrect auxiliary verb choice:
   ❌ “He were sleeping”
   ✓ “He was sleeping”

2. Missing -ing form:
   ❌ “They was study”
   ✓ “They were studying”

3. Confusing with Sentences with “would rather” + past simple:
   ❌ “I would rather was walking”
   ✓ “I would rather walked”

Common Mistakes in Past Continuous Usage

Practice Exercises for Band 7+

Create complex sentences combining past continuous with other tenses:

• When the earthquake struck (past simple), people were sleeping (past continuous).
• I was working on my project while my colleagues were having lunch.

Remember to maintain clarity and accuracy in your usage to achieve higher band scores.