Past Progressive: Parallel Actions

When two (or more) continuous actions happen at the same time in the past, we use the past progressive for both actions.

For example: I was cooking, and they were watching TV.

We often use the time expressions when, while or as to connect the two actions.

Remember!

We use the past progressive to talk about:

1. an action that was happening at a certain time in the past.
   For example:We were swimming at nine o'clock.
2. a continuous action that was going on when another action interrupted it. The action that interrupted is in the past simple.
   For example:While we were swimming, it started to rain.
3. two or more continuous actions that took place at the same time. These actions don't interrupt each other.
   For example:They were reading while we were swimming.