Prétérit Continu (Past Continuous)

The prétérit continu, also known as the past continuous or passé continu anglais, is used to describe ongoing actions in the past. This page outlines the formation of affirmative, negative, and interrogative sentences in this tense.

For affirmative sentences, use 'was' or 'were' followed by the verb with '-ing'. In negative forms, add 'not' after 'was' or 'were'. For questions, start with 'was' or 'were' followed by the subject and the verb with '-ing'.

Example: I was working.

Example: They were working.

Example: You weren't working.

Example: He wasn't working.

Example: What were you doing?

Example: Was he cooking?

Highlight: The prétérit continu is essential for describing actions that were in progress at a specific time in the past or for setting the scene in a story.

Definition: The past continuous tense describes actions that were ongoing in the past, often interrupted by another action in the simple past.

Prétérit Simple (Simple Past)

The prétérit simple in English is used to describe completed actions in the past. This page explains the formation of affirmative, negative, and interrogative sentences in the simple past tense.

For the affirmative form, add '-ED' to the end of regular verbs. In negative sentences, use 'DIDN'T' (DID NOT) before the base form of the verb. For questions, start with 'DID' followed by the subject and the base form of the verb.

Example: Marilyn Monroe played in many films.

Example: Steven Spielberg didn't work with Johnny.

Example: Where did you go in England?

Highlight: The prétérit simple is crucial for narrating past events or describing completed actions in the past.

Vocabulary: 'Prétérit simple' is the French term for the simple past tense in English.