过去进行时由 was/were 加现在分词构成。

　　例如：

　　What were you doing this time yesterday? 昨天这个时候你在做什么？

　　During the summer of 1999 she was travelling in Europe. 1999年夏天她在欧洲旅行。

　　He said he was leaving for home in a day or two. 他说他一两天之内就动身回家了。

　　She was always thinking of others. 她老是想到别人。(赞扬)

　　She was forever complaining. 她老是抱怨。(厌烦)

　　I was reading the newspaper when the doorbell rang. 我正在看报，突然门铃响了。

　　Jim burnt his hand when he was cooking the dinner. 吉姆做饭时把手烫了。

　　I met Diana while I was shopping this morning. 我今早买东西时碰到了戴安娜。

　　I was doing my homework while he was listening to music. 我在做作业而他在听音乐。