Past progressive verb tense is also called past continuous.
This tense shows ongoing action that happened in the past.
Past progressive tense uses helping verbs was or were and adds –ing to the main verb.
Present progressive tense: I am walking to school.
Past progressive tense: I was walking to school.
Most singular nouns use the helping verb was for past progressive tense.
I was walking.
Mary was talking.
She was talking.
Bob was singing.
He was singing.
The cat was meowing.
It was meowing.
Plural nouns use the helping verb were for past progressive tense.
John and I were riding.
We were riding.
Meg and Sam were helping.
They were helping.
Remember: Past progressive or past continuous verb tense shows ongoing action that happened in the past.
For past progressive tense, use helping verb was or were and add -ing to the end of the verb.