1 過(guò)去進(jìn)行時(shí)主要表示過(guò)去某個(gè)時(shí)刻或某一階段正在進(jìn)行的動(dòng)作,常和表示過(guò)去時(shí)間的狀語(yǔ)then,at this（that） time,yesterday,at nine,last night等連用.但在不少情況下,沒有表示時(shí)間的狀語(yǔ),這時(shí)需要通過(guò)上下文來(lái)表示.
What were you doing at nine last night?
昨晚九點(diǎn)時(shí),你在做什么?
I called you yesterday afternoon but there was no answer.
昨天下午我打電話給你,但是沒有人接電話.
I was visiting a friend of mine most of the afternoon.
我昨天下午大部分時(shí)間,都在一個(gè)朋友家里.
2 當(dāng)兩個(gè)一長(zhǎng)一短的動(dòng)作在過(guò)去某時(shí)間同時(shí)發(fā)生時(shí),用過(guò)去進(jìn)行時(shí)表示較長(zhǎng)的動(dòng)作.過(guò)去進(jìn)行時(shí)可用于主句,也可用于從句.
It was raining hard when I left my office.
當(dāng)我離開辦公室時(shí),雨下得正大.
When you called,I was eating.
你打電話時(shí),我正在吃飯.
When I was cleaning the windows,my brother was sweeping the floor.
（當(dāng)）我在擦窗戶的時(shí)候,我弟弟在拖地.
Some students were playing football,while others were running round the track.
一些學(xué)生在踢足球,同時(shí)別的學(xué)生正在跑道上跑步.
We were walking along the river when（suddenly） It rained.
我們沿著河邊散步,突然下起雨來(lái).
They were watching TV when the lights went out.
停電時(shí),他們剛好在看電視.（注意：同上例）
3 過(guò)去進(jìn)行時(shí)表示過(guò)去將來(lái)的動(dòng)作
現(xiàn)在進(jìn)行時(shí)可以表示將來(lái)的動(dòng)作,同樣,過(guò)去進(jìn)行時(shí)也可以表示從過(guò)去某時(shí)間看來(lái)將要發(fā)生的動(dòng)作.常用在間接引語(yǔ)中.
She went to see Xiao Li.
He was leaving early the next morning.
她去看小李.他第二天一早就要離開此地了.
She asked him whether he was coming back
to lunch.
她問(wèn)他晚飯是否準(zhǔn)備回來(lái)吃.
4 過(guò)去進(jìn)行時(shí)和一般過(guò)去時(shí)的區(qū)別
過(guò)去進(jìn)行時(shí)表示過(guò)去某時(shí)正在進(jìn)行的動(dòng)作,而一般當(dāng)兩個(gè)延續(xù)動(dòng)作同時(shí)并行時(shí),二者都可用過(guò)去進(jìn)行時(shí)表達(dá).
此時(shí)的when是連詞,與上面第2.3例不同,只能用于句子中間.過(guò)去時(shí)則表示一個(gè)完成的動(dòng)作.也就是說(shuō)用一般過(guò)去時(shí),只是表示有過(guò)這件事；用過(guò)去進(jìn)行時(shí),則強(qiáng)調(diào)了動(dòng)作的連續(xù)性.
Li Ming washed the dishes.
李明洗過(guò)盤子了.
Li Ming was washing the dishes.
李明在洗盤子.
The children watched TV yesterday evening.
昨天晚上孩子們看了電視.
The children were watching TV yesterday evening.
昨晚孩子們整晚都在看電視.（沒干別的）
I was reading a novel this morning.
上午我在看小說(shuō).（可能沒看完）
I read a novel this morning.
上午我看了一本小說(shuō).（已經(jīng)看完了）