Past Continuous Tense: Complete Guide for Nepali Students

Past Continuous Tense: Complete Guide for Nepali Students

Introduction / परिचय

Past Continuous Tense ले भूतकालमा केही समयसम्म जारी रहेको काम देखाउँछ। यसले काम कहिले सुरु भयो र कहिले सकियो भन्ने कुरामा जोड दिँदैन, तर त्यो समयमा काम भइरहेको थियो भन्ने कुरा देखाउँछ।

English: Past Continuous Tense shows an action that was in progress at a specific time in the past. It emphasizes the duration of the action, not its completion.

Nepali: Past Continuous Tense ले भूतकालमा केही समयसम्म जारी रहेको कामलाई देखाउँछ। यसले कामको निरन्तरतामा जोड दिन्छ, सकिएको कुरामा होइन।

Key Difference:

• Simple Past: काम भयो र सकियो (I watched TV.)
• Past Continuous: काम भइरहेको थियो (I was watching TV.)

Structure / संरचना

Positive Sentence (सकारात्मक वाक्य)

Subject + was/were + V4 (Verb + ing) + Object

Subject	Helping Verb	Example
I, He, She, It, Ram	was	I was studying at 8 PM.
You, We, They, Ram and Sita	were	They were playing football.

Nepali: कर्ता + was/were + क्रियाको चौथो रूप (V4 = verb + ing) + कर्म

Negative Sentence (नकारात्मक वाक्य)

Subject + was/were + not + V4 + Object

Example	Nepali Meaning
I was not sleeping at 10 PM.	म राति 10 बजे सुतिरहेको थिइनँ।
They were not studying yesterday.	उनीहरू हिजो पढिरहेका थिएनन्।

Short forms: wasn't / weren't

Question Sentence (प्रश्नवाचक वाक्य)

Was/Were + Subject + V4 + Object ?

Example	Nepali Meaning
Was she cooking dinner?	उनी बेलुकाको खाना पकाइरहेकी थिइन्?
Were you waiting for me?	तिमी मेरो प्रतीक्षा गरिरहेको थियो?

V4 (Verb + ing) कसरी बनाउने?

Rule 1: Most Verbs — Just add -ing

V1	V4	Nepali
study	studying	पढ्दै
work	working	काम गर्दै
play	playing	खेल्दै
read	reading	पढ्दै
write	writing	लेख्दै
speak	speaking	बोल्दै
eat	eating	खाँदै
go	going	जाँदै

Rule 2: Verbs ending in -e — Drop e, add -ing

V1	V4	Nepali
write	writing	लेख्दै
take	taking	लिँदै
make	making	बनाउँदै
come	coming	आउँदै
give	giving	दिँदै
drive	driving	चलाउँदै

Rule 3: Short verbs (CVC) — Double the last consonant

V1	V4	Nepali
run	running	दौडँदै
sit	sitting	बस्दै
swim	swimming	पौडी खेल्दै
get	getting	पाउँदै
put	putting	राख्दै
stop	stopping	रोक्दै

Rule 4: Verbs ending in -ie — Change to -ying

V1	V4	Nepali
lie	lying	झुटो बोल्दै
die	dying	मर्दै
tie	tying	बाँध्दै

Uses of Past Continuous Tense / प्रयोगहरू

Use 1: Action in Progress at a Specific Past Time

भूतकालको निश्चित समयमा जारी काम

Example	Nepali Meaning
I was studying at 8 PM last night.	म हिजो राति 8 बजे पढिरहेको थिएँ।
She was cooking at 6 AM.	उनी बिहान 6 बजे खाना पकाइरहेकी थिइन्।
They were playing football at 4 PM.	उनीहरू दिउँसो 4 बजे फुटबल खेलिरहेका थिए।

Use 2: Two Actions Happening at the Same Time

एकै समयमा भइरहेका दुई काम

Example	Nepali Meaning
I was reading while she was writing.	म पढिरहेको थिएँ जबकि उनी लेखिरहेकी थिइन्।
He was cooking while his wife was cleaning.	उ खाना पकाइरहेको थियो जबकि उसकी श्रीमती सफा गरिरहेकी थिइन्।

Use 3: Interrupted Action (with Simple Past)

एक काम भइरहेको बेला अर्को काम भयो

यो सबैभन्दा महत्त्वपूर्ण use हो। When/While सँग प्रयोग हुन्छ।

Example	Nepali Meaning
I was sleeping when the phone rang.	फोन बज्दा म सुतिरहेको थिएँ।
She was cooking when I arrived.	म आउँदा उनी खाना पकाइरहेकी थिइन्।
They were walking when it started to rain.	पानी पर्न सुरु हुँदा उनीहरू हिँडिरहेका थिए।

Rule:

• Long action (background) → Past Continuous (was/were + V4)
• Short action (interruption) → Simple Past (V2)

Use 4: Atmosphere/Setting the Scene

भूतकालको दृश्य वर्णन गर्न

Example	Nepali Meaning
The sun was shining and birds were singing.	सूर्य चम्किरहेको थियो र चराहरू गाइरहेका थिए।
People were shouting and children were playing.	मानिसहरू कराइरहेका थिए र बच्चाहरू खेलिरहेका थिए।

Time Adverbs / समयसूचक शब्दहरू

Time Adverbs Used with Past Continuous

English	Nepali Meaning	Example
at 8 PM	राति 8 बजे	I was studying at 8 PM.
at that time	त्यो समयमा	She was cooking at that time.
this time yesterday	हिजो यही समय	I was sleeping this time yesterday.
all day	दिनभर	He was working all day.
all morning	बिहानभर	She was reading all morning.
all evening	साँझभर	They were playing all evening.
while	जबकि / गर्दा	I was reading while she was writing.
when	जब	I was sleeping when he called.
as	जब / गर्दा	As I was walking, I saw him.
still	अझै पनि	He was still working at midnight.

Past Continuous vs Simple Past

Past Continuous	Simple Past
I was watching TV.	I watched TV.
काम जारी थियो	काम सकियो
Duration महत्त्वपूर्ण	Completion महत्त्वपूर्ण
I was watching TV when she called.	I watched TV last night.
Background action	Completed action

Sample Sentences / नमूना वाक्यहरू

Daily Life (दैनिक जीवन)

English	Nepali Meaning
I was sleeping at 10 PM last night.	म हिजो राति 10 बजे सुतिरहेको थिएँ।
She was cooking dinner when I arrived.	म आउँदा उनी बेलुकाको खाना पकाइरहेकी थिइन्।
They were playing outside all evening.	उनीहरू साँझभर बाहिर खेलिरहेका थिए।
He was watching TV while I was studying.	म पढिरहेको बेला उ टिभी हेरिरहेको थियो।
We were walking when it started to rain.	पानी पर्न सुरु हुँदा हामी हिँडिरहेका थियौं।

Work/Study (काम/पढाइ)

English	Nepali Meaning
I was working on my project at 9 PM.	म राति 9 बजे मेरो परियोजनामा काम गरिरहेको थिएँ।
She was teaching when the bell rang.	घण्टी बज्दा उनी पढाइरहेकी थिइन्।
They were preparing for the exam all week.	उनीहरू हप्ताभर परीक्षाको तयारी गरिरहेका थिए।
He was writing a report when I called.	मैले फोन गर्दा उ रिपोर्ट लेखिरहेको थियो।
We were discussing the plan at that time.	त्यो समयमा हामी योजनाबारे छलफल गरिरहेका थियौं।

Interrupted Actions (अवरोध भएका काम)

English	Nepali Meaning
I was taking a shower when the phone rang.	फोन बज्दा म नुहाइरहेको थिएँ।
She was crossing the road when she saw him.	उसलाई देख्दा उनी बाटो काटिरहेकी थिइन्।
They were sleeping when the earthquake happened.	भूकम्प जाँदा उनीहरू सुतिरहेका थिए।
He was driving when the accident occurred.	दुर्घटना हुँदा उ गाडी चलाइरहेको थियो।

Common Mistakes / सामान्य गल्तीहरू

Wrong	Right	Reason
I was study at 8 PM.	I was studying at 8 PM.	V4 (verb + ing) चाहिन्छ
She were cooking.	She was cooking.	She/He/It = was
They was playing.	They were playing.	You/We/They = were
I was slept.	I was sleeping.	V4 चाहिन्छ, V2 होइन
He was went to school.	He went to school.	Simple Past (completed action)
I was knowing the answer.	I knew the answer.	Stative verbs को continuous प्रयोग हुँदैन
While I was sleeping, the phone was ringing.	While I was sleeping, the phone rang.	Interruption = Simple Past

Stative Verbs (Continuous मा प्रयोग नहुने क्रियापद)

यी verbs लाई -ing form मा प्रयोग गरिँदैन:

Stative Verb	Nepali	Wrong	Right
know	थाहा हुनु	was knowing	knew
like	मन पराउनु	was liking	liked
want	चाहनु	was wanting	wanted
need	आवश्यक हुनु	was needing	needed
believe	विश्वास गर्नु	was believing	believed
understand	बुझ्नु	was understanding	understood
remember	सम्झनु	was remembering	remembered
belong	सम्बन्धित हुनु	was belonging	belonged

Quick Summary Table

Aspect	Rule
Structure	Subject + was/were + V4 + Object
Was	I, He, She, It, singular nouns
Were	You, We, They, plural nouns
Negative	was/were + not + V4
Question	Was/Were + subject + V4?
V4 formation	verb + ing
Use 1	Action in progress at specific past time
Use 2	Two actions at same time
Use 3	Interrupted action (with Simple Past)
Use 4	Atmosphere/setting the scene
Time adverbs	at 8 PM, while, when, all day, at that time
Stative verbs	Do NOT use in continuous form

Practice Exercise

Fill in the blanks with correct Past Continuous form:

1.      I ________ (study) at 8 PM last night.

2.      She ________ (cook) when I arrived.

3.      They ________ (play) football all evening.

4.      He ________ (not sleep) at 10 PM.

5.      ________ you ________ (wait) for me?

6.      We ________ (walk) when it started to rain.

7.      She ________ (read) while I ________ (write).

8.      I ________ (take) a shower when the phone rang.

9.      They ________ (not study) yesterday.

10. He ________ (drive) when the accident happened.

Answers:

1.      was studying

2.      was cooking

3.      were playing

4.      was not sleeping

5.      Were / waiting

6.      were walking

7.      was reading / was writing

8.      was taking

9.      were not studying

10. was driving

Final Reminder for Nepali Students

1.      Was/Were कर्ता अनुसार प्रयोग गर्नुहोस् — I/He/She/It = was, You/We/They = were

2.      V4 (verb + ing) प्रयोग गर्नुहोस् — "I was studying" not "I was study"

3.      Interrupted action मा — Long action = Past Continuous, Short action = Simple Past

4.      Stative verbs (know, like, want) लाई continuous मा प्रयोग नगर्नुहोस्

5.      While = दुई काम सँगै, When = एक कामले अर्कोलाई अवरोध गर्दा

6.      Specific past time (at 8 PM, at that time) सँग Past Continuous प्रयोग गर्नुहोस्

100 Past Continuous Tense Practice Questions

Instructions

Fill in the blanks with the correct Past Continuous form. Choose from the options given in brackets. Answers with short reasons are provided at the end.

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Part 1: Questions 1–100

#	Question
1	I ________ (was studying / were studying / was study) at 8 PM last night.
2	She ________ (was cooking / were cooking / was cook) when I arrived.
3	They ________ (was playing / were playing / were play) football all evening.
4	He ________ (was not sleeping / were not sleeping / was not sleep) at 10 PM.
5	________ you ________ (Was / waiting, Were / waiting, Were / wait) for me?
6	We ________ (was walking / were walking / were walk) when it started to rain.
7	She ________ (was reading / were reading / was read) while I was writing.
8	I ________ (was taking / were taking / was take) a shower when the phone rang.
9	They ________ (was not studying / were not studying / were not study) yesterday.
10	He ________ (was driving / were driving / was drive) when the accident happened.
11	I ________ (was sleeping / were sleeping / was sleep) at 10 PM last night.
12	She ________ (was cooking / were cooking / was cook) dinner when I arrived.
13	They ________ (was playing / were playing / were play) outside all evening.
14	He ________ (was watching / were watching / was watch) TV while I was studying.
15	We ________ (was walking / were walking / were walk) when it started to rain.
16	I ________ (was working / were working / was work) on my project at 9 PM.
17	She ________ (was teaching / were teaching / was teach) when the bell rang.
18	They ________ (was preparing / were preparing / were prepare) for the exam all week.
19	He ________ (was writing / were writing / was write) a report when I called.
20	________ she ________ (Was / cooking, Were / cooking, Was / cook) dinner?
21	I ________ (was taking / were taking / was take) a shower when the phone rang.
22	She ________ (was crossing / were crossing / was cross) the road when she saw him.
23	They ________ (was sleeping / were sleeping / were sleep) when the earthquake happened.
24	He ________ (was driving / were driving / was drive) when the accident occurred.
25	We ________ (was discussing / were discussing / were discuss) the plan at that time.
26	I ________ (was not listening / were not listening / was not listen) to music.
27	She ________ (was singing / were singing / was sing) when I entered.
28	They ________ (was dancing / were dancing / were dance) all night.
29	He ________ (was reading / were reading / was read) a book at 7 PM.
30	________ they ________ (Was / playing, Were / playing, Were / play) football?
31	I ________ (was writing / were writing / was write) a letter when he came.
32	She ________ (was cleaning / were cleaning / was clean) the house all morning.
33	They ________ (was travelling / were travelling / were travel) all week.
34	He ________ (was waiting / were waiting / was wait) for the bus at 8 AM.
35	We ________ (was studying / were studying / were study) English at that time.
36	I ________ (was not feeling / were not feeling / was not feel) well yesterday.
37	She ________ (was having / were having / was have) headaches last week.
38	They ________ (was feeling / were feeling / were feel) stressed about the exam.
39	He ________ (was coughing / were coughing / was cough) all night.
40	________ you ________ (Was / working, Were / working, Were / work) at 9 PM?
41	I ________ (was thinking / were thinking / was think) about the problem.
42	She ________ (was practising / were practising / was practise) the piano.
43	They ________ (was running / were running / were run) a business.
44	He ________ (was swimming / were swimming / was swim) in the pool.
45	We ________ (was planning / were planning / were plan) a trip to Pokhara.
46	I ________ (was writing / were writing / was write) emails all morning.
47	She ________ (was helping / were helping / was help) her mother.
48	They ________ (was waiting / were waiting / were wait) for the results.
49	He ________ (was fixing / were fixing / was fix) his car all afternoon.
50	________ he ________ (Was / feeling, Were / feeling, Was / feel) better?
51	I ________ (was learning / were learning / was learn) Nepali for two years.
52	She ________ (was doing / were doing / was do) yoga at 6 AM.
53	They ________ (was living / were living / were live) abroad for many years.
54	He ________ (was searching / were searching / was search) for a job.
55	We ________ (was watching / were watching / were watch) this series.
56	I ________ (was feeling / were feeling / was feel) much better.
57	She ________ (was wearing / were wearing / was wear) glasses.
58	They ________ (was working / were working / were work) together.
59	He ________ (was taking / were taking / was take) care of his parents.
60	________ you ________ (Was / working, Were / working, Were / work) here long?
61	I ________ (was saving / were saving / was save) money for a new phone.
62	She ________ (was teaching / were teaching / was teach) children.
63	They ________ (was cleaning / were cleaning / were clean) the beach all day.
64	He ________ (was playing / were playing / was play) cricket at 4 PM.
65	We ________ (was trying / were trying / were try) to solve the issue.
66	I ________ (was not eating / were not eating / was not eat) well.
67	She ________ (was studying / were studying / was study) hard for exams.
68	They ________ (was arguing / were arguing / were argue) about money.
69	He ________ (was growing / were growing / was grow) vegetables.
70	________ she ________ (Was / practising, Were / practising, Was / practise) for the competition?
71	I ________ (was visiting / were visiting / was visit) my grandmother.
72	She ________ (was writing / were writing / was write) a novel.
73	They ________ (was learning / were learning / were learn) to dance.
74	He ________ (was repairing / were repairing / was repair) the roof all day.
75	We ________ (was thinking / were thinking / were think) about moving.
76	I ________ (was drinking / were drinking / was drink) too much coffee.
77	She ________ (was feeding / were feeding / was feed) the stray cats.
78	They ________ (was collecting / were collecting / were collect) stamps.
79	He ________ (was training / were training / was train) for the marathon.
80	________ they ________ (Was / waiting, Were / waiting, Were / wait) since morning?
81	I ________ (was practising / were practising / was practise) my English.
82	She ________ (was cleaning / were cleaning / was clean) the windows.
83	They ________ (was discussing / were discussing / were discuss) the new plan.
84	He ________ (was avoiding / were avoiding / was avoid) me.
85	We ________ (was walking / were walking / were walk) for three hours.
86	I ________ (was not feeling / were not feeling / was not feel) myself.
87	She ________ (was looking / were looking / was look) for her keys.
88	They ________ (was planning / were planning / were plan) their wedding.
89	He ________ (was sleeping / were sleeping / was sleep) poorly.
90	________ you ________ (Was / learning, Were / learning, Were / learn) Japanese?
91	I ________ (was working / were working / was work) on my thesis.
92	She ________ (was volunteering / were volunteering / was volunteer) at the shelter.
93	They ________ (was building / were building / were build) a new school.
94	He ________ (was reading / were reading / was read) newspapers.
95	We ________ (was enjoying / were enjoying / were enjoy) our holiday.
96	I ________ (was noticing / were noticing / was notice) some changes.
97	She ________ (was taking / were taking / was take) piano lessons.
98	They ________ (was making / were making / were make) progress slowly.
99	He ________ (was waiting / were waiting / was wait) for a promotion.
100	I ________ (was using / were using / was use) this app for six months.

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Part 2: Answers with Short Reasons

	Answer	Short Reason
1	was studying	I + was + V4 (specific time)
2	was cooking	She + was + V4 (interrupted)
3	were playing	They + were + V4 (all evening)
4	was not sleeping	He + was + not + V4
5	Were / waiting	Question: Were + you + V4
6	were walking	We + were + V4 (interrupted)
7	was reading	She + was + V4 (while)
8	was taking	I + was + V4 (interrupted)
9	were not studying	They + were + not + V4
10	was driving	He + was + V4 (interrupted)
11	was sleeping	I + was + V4 (specific time)
12	was cooking	She + was + V4 (interrupted)
13	were playing	They + were + V4 (all evening)
14	was watching	He + was + V4 (while)
15	were walking	We + were + V4 (interrupted)
16	was working	I + was + V4 (specific time)
17	was teaching	She + was + V4 (interrupted)
18	were preparing	They + were + V4 (all week)
19	was writing	He + was + V4 (interrupted)
20	Was / cooking	Question: Was + she + V4
21	was taking	I + was + V4 (interrupted)
22	was crossing	She + was + V4 (interrupted)
23	were sleeping	They + were + V4 (interrupted)
24	was driving	He + was + V4 (interrupted)
25	were discussing	We + were + V4 (at that time)
26	was not listening	I + was + not + V4
27	was singing	She + was + V4 (interrupted)
28	were dancing	They + were + V4 (all night)
29	was reading	He + was + V4 (specific time)
30	Were / playing	Question: Were + they + V4
31	was writing	I + was + V4 (interrupted)
32	was cleaning	She + was + V4 (all morning)
33	were travelling	They + were + V4 (all week)
34	was waiting	He + was + V4 (specific time)
35	were studying	We + were + V4 (at that time)
36	was not feeling	I + was + not + V4
37	was having	She + was + V4
38	were feeling	They + were + V4
39	was coughing	He + was + V4 (all night)
40	Were / working	Question: Were + you + V4
41	was thinking	I + was + V4
42	was practising	She + was + V4
43	were running	They + were + V4
44	was swimming	He + was + V4
45	were planning	We + were + V4
46	was writing	I + was + V4 (all morning)
47	was helping	She + was + V4
48	were waiting	They + were + V4
49	was fixing	He + was + V4 (all afternoon)
50	Was / feeling	Question: Was + he + V4
51	was learning	I + was + V4
52	was doing	She + was + V4 (specific time)
53	were living	They + were + V4
54	was searching	He + was + V4
55	were watching	We + were + V4
56	was feeling	I + was + V4
57	was wearing	She + was + V4
58	were working	They + were + V4
59	was taking	He + was + V4
60	Were / working	Question: Were + you + V4
61	was saving	I + was + V4
62	was teaching	She + was + V4
63	were cleaning	They + were + V4 (all day)
64	was playing	He + was + V4 (specific time)
65	were trying	We + were + V4
66	was not eating	I + was + not + V4
67	was studying	She + was + V4
68	were arguing	They + were + V4
69	was growing	He + was + V4
70	Was / practising	Question: Was + she + V4
71	was visiting	I + was + V4
72	was writing	She + was + V4
73	were learning	They + were + V4
74	was repairing	He + was + V4 (all day)
75	were thinking	We + were + V4
76	was drinking	I + was + V4
77	was feeding	She + was + V4
78	were collecting	They + were + V4
79	was training	He + was + V4
80	Were / waiting	Question: Were + they + V4
81	was practising	I + was + V4
82	was cleaning	She + was + V4
83	were discussing	They + were + V4
84	was avoiding	He + was + V4
85	were walking	We + were + V4 (for)
86	was not feeling	I + was + not + V4
87	was looking	She + was + V4
88	were planning	They + were + V4
89	was sleeping	He + was + V4
90	Were / learning	Question: Were + you + V4
91	was working	I + was + V4
92	was volunteering	She + was + V4
93	were building	They + were + V4
94	was reading	He + was + V4
95	were enjoying	We + were + V4
96	was noticing	I + was + V4
97	was taking	She + was + V4
98	were making	They + were + V4
99	was waiting	He + was + V4
100	was using	I + was + V4

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Quick Reference: Key Rules

Rule	Explanation
I/He/She/It	Use was
You/We/They	Use were
V4 required	Always use verb + ing
Negative	was/were + not + V4
Question	Was/Were + subject + V4?
Interrupted action	Long action = Past Continuous, Short action = Simple Past
While	दुई काम सँगै भइरहेको
When	एक कामले अर्कोलाई अवरोध गरेको
All day/morning/evening	दिनभर / बिहानभर / साँझभर
At that time	त्यो समयमा
Stative verbs	Do NOT use in continuous (know, like, want)

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V4 Formation Rules (Quick Recap)

Rule	V1	V4
Add -ing	study	studying
Drop e + ing	write	writing
Double consonant	run	running
-ie → -ying	lie	lying

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Common Stative Verbs (No Continuous Form)

Verb	Nepali	Correct Form
know	थाहा हुनु	knew (NOT was knowing)
like	मन पराउनु	liked (NOT was liking)
want	चाहनु	wanted (NOT was wanting)
need	आवश्यक हुनु	needed (NOT was needing)
believe	विश्वास गर्नु	believed (NOT was believing)
understand	बुझ्नु	understood (NOT was understanding)