past continuous
pɑːst kənˈtɪnjuəs
Definition Synonyms

Definition of past continuous - Reverso English Dictionary

Noun

linguisticsTECH.tense for actions ongoing in the pastTECH.
  • The past continuous tense shows actions ongoing in the past.
  • The past continuous is often used in storytelling.
  • Teachers explain the past continuous to describe ongoing actions.
imperfect past progressive
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Expressions with past

get pastv.
move around an obstacle or blockage
We need to get past the traffic jam.
push pastv.
move forcefully through a crowd or obstacle
She had to push past the crowd to exit.
run pastv.
move quickly past someone or something
She managed to run past the guard unnoticed.
sneak pastv.
move quietly to avoid being seen or caught
He managed to sneak past the security guard.
leave the past behindv.
stop focusing on past events or experiences
She decided to leave the past behind and start fresh.
zoom pastv.
move very quickly by something or someone
The car zoom past the traffic light.

Expressions with continuous

continuous learningn.
ongoing process of gaining new knowledge or skills throughout time
Continuous learning helps workers keep up with changes in their industry.
continuous monitoringn.
ongoing observation and recording of data to detect changes or problems
Continuous monitoring of the network helped detect the intrusion quickly.
continuous supportn.
ongoing assistance or help
The project was successful due to continuous support from the community.
in continuous useadj.
used all the time without stopping or breaks
This machine has been in continuous use for years.
continuous loopn.
process that repeats the same steps again and again
The video plays on a continuous loop in the store window.
on a continuous basisadv.
happening all the time without long breaks or clear stopping points
The machines are monitored on a continuous basis for safety.
continuous wavesn.
uninterrupted flow or movement
The continuous waves of traffic never seemed to stop.
continuous tensen.
verb tense showing ongoing action
She explained the continuous tense during the English lesson.
continuous shootingn.
camera mode that quickly takes many photos while the button stays pressed
Use continuous shooting to capture the whole sequence of the jump.
continuous assessmentn.
ongoing evaluation of a student's work throughout a course
Continuous assessment includes quizzes, assignments, and participation.

Terms related to past continuous

💡 Terms in the same lexical field: analogies, antonyms, common collocates, words with same roots, hypernyms…
actioncontinuousgrammarongoingpastprogressivetenseverb

Terms with past continuous included in their meaning

💡 A powerful way to uncover related words, idioms, and expressions linked by the same idea — and explore meaning beyond exact word matches.
timen.
abstract
continuous progression from past to future
wasaux.v.
linguistics
forming past continuous tense
wereaux.v.
grammar
used to form past continuous tense with plural subjects
passing of timen.
time flow
continuous movement of time from past to future
imperfectadj.
linguistics
describing continuous past actions

View all translations of past continuous

✨Click below to see the appropriate translations facing each meaning.
  1. French:prétérit progressif, ...
  2. German:Verlaufsform der Vergangenheit, ...
  3. Italian:passato progressivo, ...
  4. Spanish:pretérito imperfecto, ...
  5. Portuguese:pretérito imperfeito contínuo, ...
  6. Chinese:过去进行时, ...
  7. Japanese:過去進行形, ...
  8. Arabic:مَاضٍ مُسْتَمِر, ...
  9. Hebrew:זְמַן עָבָר מְמוּשָׁךְ, ...
  10. Russian:прошедшее продолженное время, ...
  11. Ukrainian:минулий тривалий час, ...
  12. Hindi:भूतकालीन निरंतर काल, ...
Browse the dictionary entries starting with “p”:
past caring past chair past due past endurance

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