謂語動詞構成：I/he/she/it was working; we/you/they were working

(1) 表示過去某一時刻或過去某段時間內正在進行的動作，一般要有表示過去時間的狀語

At that time she was working in Oxford. 那時，她正在牛津大學工作.

It was raining at 6 o’clock this morning. 今天早晨六點鐘天正下著雨.

What were you doing when I phoned you last night? 昨晚我給你打電話時你在干什么?

(2) 可用來表示由過去某時持續到另一時間的過去動作

He was studying in Cambridge between 1999 and 2001.

在1999年和2001年那段時間，他在劍橋學習.

From January to March I was traveling in Egypt.

從3月份到4月份期間，我在埃及旅游.

(3) 表示故事發生的背景

It was a sunny morning. Some people were sitting on the riverbank. Some were walking with their dogs. Several boys were playing football nearby...

一個陽光明媚的清晨.河堤上坐著幾個人.有的人在溜狗.不遠處有幾個男童在踢足球...

(4) 與某些動詞連用時，代替過去將來時

這類動詞有 come來, go去, leave離開, start開始, stay逗留 等.主語必須是人.

He telephoned me, saying that his aunt was coming to see me soon.

他打電話給我，說他姨很快就要看我了.

五、現在完成時

謂語動詞構成：I/we/you/they have worked; he/she/it has worked

(1) 表示過去某一時刻發生，且延續到現在的動作或狀態，這種情況常與表示一段的時間狀語連用

We have lived here since last October. 自從去年十月份我們就一直住在這兒。

She has studied English for 5 years. 她學英語已有5年之久

(2) 表示某個已經發生且對現在造成影響或結果的動作，這種情況常不與任何時間狀語連用

I’m sorry I have lost my key. I can’t open the door.

對不起，我把鑰匙弄丟了.門開不了了.

She has left. If you want to see her, you’ll have to come tomorrow.

她已經走了.如果你想見她的話，你得明天再來一趟.