What were you doing at eight o’clock?
We use the past continuous to say what was happening at a time in the past. We make it with was or were and the -ing form. I was walking to school. They were playing football. We use was with I, he, she and it. We use were with you, we and they. We ask: What were you doing at eight o’clock yesterday? We answer: I was having breakfast. Spelling of -ing: take, taking; run, running; swim, swimming.
| Subject | Verb | Example |
|---|---|---|
| I / he / she / it | was + -ing | I was reading. |
| you / we / they | were + -ing | We were playing. |
| Time | What was Hassan doing? |
|---|---|
| 7 o’clock | He was brushing his teeth. |
| 9 o’clock | He was drawing at school. |
| 12 o’clock | He was helping his dad. |
| 5 o’clock | He was riding his bike. |
| 9 o’clock in the evening | He was watching a film. |
What were you doing at eight o’clock yesterday, Salma?
I was walking to school with my brother.
And what were you doing at four o’clock?
I was playing in the garden with my friends.
Time detective. Draw four clocks, for example 7:00, 9:00, 1:00 and 6:00. Write under each clock what you were doing yesterday. Then ask a family member: What were you doing at 7 o’clock yesterday? Write their answer.