Past Continuous

To talk about past events which went on for a period of time

1. To emphasize the continuing process of an activity or the period of that activity

• While I was driving home, Lisa was trying desperately to contact me.
• Were you expecting any visitors?
• I was just making some coffee.
• I was thinking about him last night.
• In the 1990s few people were using mobile phones.

2. To describe a "background action" when something else happened

• I was making a presentation in front of many people when the microphone stopped working.
• We were just talking about it before you arrived.
• The company was declining rapidly before he took charge.
• They were still waiting for the plane when I spoke to them.
• I was walking in the street when I suddenly fell over.