Tenses

Past Continuous
Positive:
Formula:	Sub. + Helping Verb + Verb (I form) + ing + Obj.
Subject:	He, She, It, I
Helping Verb:	Was
Example:	He was writing a letter. She was writing a letter. It was raining. I was writing a letter.
Subject:	We, They, You
Helping Verb:	Were
Example:	We were writing a letter. They were writing a letter. You were writing a letter.

                                   

Negative:
Formula:	Sub. + Helping Verb + not + Verb (I form) + ing + Obj.
Subject:	He, She, It, I
Helping Verb:	Was
Example:	He was not writing a letter. She was not writing a letter. It was not raining. I was not writing a letter?
Subject:	We, They, You
Helping Verb:	Were
Example:	We were not writing a letter. They were not writing a letter. You were not writing a letter.

 

Single Interrogative:
Formula:	Helping Verb + Sub. + Verb (I form) + ing + Obj.
Subject:	He, She, It, I
Helping Verb:	Was
Example:	Was he writing a letter? Was she writing a letter? Was it raining? Was I writing a letter?
Subject:	We, They, You
Helping Verb:	Were
Example:	Were we writing a letter? Were they writing a letter? Were you writing a letter?

---

---

 

Single Interrogative + Negative:
Formula:	Helping Verb + Sub. + not + Verb (I form) + ing + Obj.
Subject:	He, She, It, I
Helping Verb:	Was
Example:	Was he not writing a letter? Was she not writing a letter? Was it not raining? Was I not writing a letter?
Subject:	We, They, You
Helping Verb:	Were
Example:	Were we not writing a letter? Were they not writing a letter? Were you not writing a letter?

 

Double Interrogative:
Formula:	W’s + Helping Verb + Sub. + Verb (I form) + ing + Obj.
Subject:	He, She, It, I
Helping Verb:	Was
Example:	Why was he writing a letter? Why was she writing a letter? Why was it raining? Why was I writing a letter?
Subject:	We, They, You
Helping Verb:	Were
Example:	Why were we writing a letter? Why were they writing a letter? Why were you writing a letter?

 

Double Interrogative + Negative:
Formula:	W’s + Helping Verb + Sub. + not + Verb (I form) + ing + Obj.
Subject:	He, She, It, I
Helping Verb:	Was
Example:	Why was he not writing a letter? Why was not she writing a letter? Why was not it raining? Why was I not writing a letter?
Subject:	We, They, You
Helping Verb:	Were
Example:	Why were we not writing a letter? Why were they not writing a letter? Why were you not writing a letter?

 

---

---