All English 4U

Basic Grammar in Use · Murphy

Beginner Grammar

Start from the very beginning. Clear notes, then 40+ interactive exercises with instant feedback – based on the topics in Basic Grammar in Use. Perfect for absolute beginners (A1–A2).

UNIT 1
Am / is / are
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UNIT 2
Am / is / are – questions
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UNIT 3
Present continuous
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UNIT 4
Present continuous – questions
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UNIT 5
Simple present
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UNIT 6
Simple present – negative
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UNIT 7
Simple present – questions
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UNIT 8
Continuous or simple?
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UNIT 9
Have / have got
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UNIT 10
Was / were
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UNIT 11
Simple past
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UNIT 12
Simple past – neg. & questions
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UNIT 13
Past continuous
● You’re here
UNIT 14
Past cont. & simple past
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UNIT 13 · Beginner · A1–A2

Past Continuous“I was doing” – 44 interactive questions

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📖 Grammar Reference – Past Continuous

Study the notes, then work through the six exercises.

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What you’ll learnPast Continuous (was/were + -ing) for actions in progress at a specific past moment
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~15 min4-Tier notes + 6 exercises (13.1–13.6)
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45 questionsInstant automated feedback

1 Tier 1 – The Concept & Nuance: In the Middle of Doing Something in the Past

We use the Past Continuous (was / were + verb-ing) to say that someone was in the middle of doing something at a specific moment in the past.

⏳ Action in Progress in the Past
– “At 4 o’clock yesterday afternoon, I was playing tennis.”
– “What were you doing at 10 PM last night?”
⚡ Interrupted Action (When + Past Simple)
– “I was walking home when it started to rain.”
– “The phone rang while we were having dinner.”

2 Tier 2 – Past Continuous vs Past Simple

I was walking home In progress (in the middle of the walk).
I walked home Completed action (from start to finish).

3 Tier 3 – Top 3 Common Learner Pitfalls

✗ I was play tennis at 4 PM yesterday.
✓ I was playing tennis at 4 PM yesterday.

– Rule: Past continuous requires was/were + verb-ing.

✗ They was watching TV when I arrived.
✓ They were watching TV when I arrived.

– Rule: Plural subject they requires were (they were watching).

✗ I was knowing the answer yesterday.
✓ I knew the answer yesterday.

– Rule: Stative verbs like know cannot be used in continuous forms; use past simple (knew).

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Tier 4 – Interactive Practice: Work through Exercises 13.1–13.6 below with instant scoring!

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Original practice material inspired by the Basic Grammar in Use syllabus (Cambridge University Press). Example sentences and exercises are written by All English 4U.