1. 过去进行时的基本用法主要表示过去某一时间正在进行的动作。如：He fell asleep when he was reading. 他看书时睡着了。We were expecting you yesterday. 我们昨天一直在等你。He was playing while I was studying. 我在做功课时他在玩。

2. 过去进行时表示现在用过去进行时表示现在主要是为了使语气委婉、客气。如：I was wondering if you could give me a lift. 我不知你能否让我搭一下车。We were hoping you would stay with us. 我们很希望你能跟我们住在一起。How much did you want to spend, sir? 先生，您打算花多少钱？【注】一般过去时也有类似用法，但比较而言，用过去进行时显得更客气，更不肯定。

3. 过去进行时表示感情色彩与现在进行时相似，过去进行时也可表示满意、称赞、惊讶、厌恶等感情色彩，也通常与 always, forever, continually等副词连用。如：They were always quarrelling. 他们老是吵架。The boy was continually asking questions. 这个男孩子老是问东问西的。4. 动词be的过去进行时动词be的进行时也可表示过去一时的表现或暂时的状态。比较。如：He was friendly. 他很友好。(指过去长期如此)
He was being friendly. 他当时显得很友好。(指当时一时的表现)