1

CHAPTER I
INTRODUCTION

A. Background
English is the international language. By understanding English well,
we will be able to communicate with other nations in the world. In
addition, we will be able to add insight and knowledge for the progress of
our nation and our country, because we will be able to read English
literature, listening to radio broadcasts abroad, as well as watching films
other science. Thus, in the end we can master the knowledges in all field
Each language must have rules or we often refer to as grammar,
respectively, as well as with the English language, a lot of the rules that
must be observed in its use, particularly in the field of writing. Therefore,
the author tries to present materials about past continuous tense in passive
voice. in addition to fulfilling the coursework also aims hopefully this
short article can add to our knowledge of the English language.

B. Formulation of The Problem
Based on the background that has been presented, there are problems
such as:
1. What is the meaning of past continuous tense in passive voice?
2. What is the use of past continuous tense in passive voice?
3. How the rules to forming past continuous tense in passive voice?

C. Purpose
The purpose of this paper include:
1. To understand is the meaning of past continuous tense in passive
voice.
2. To understand the use of past continuous tense in passive voice.
3. To explain the rules to forming past continuous tense in passive voice.

2


CHAPTER II
PAST CONTINUOUS TENSE IN PASSIVE VOICE

A. The Meaning of Past Continuous Tense
Martinus (2008) argues that the past continuous tense (also called the
past progressive tense) is commonly used in English for actions which
were going on (had not finished) at a particular time in the past. It is used
to express a continued or ongoing action in past. For example, he was
laughing. This sentence shows ongoing action (laughing) of a person
which occurred in past.
This tense was formed using two components: the verb BE (in the past
tense), and the -ING form of a verb. Here are the rules, using the example
verb "sing":
Subject BE -ING Form
I was Singing
You were Singing
He was Singing
She was Singing
It was Singing
We were Singing
They were Singing

B. The Use of Past Continuous Tense
According to Martinus (2008) past continuous tense is used for:
1. Show ongoing action in the past.
Example:
- He was playing football.
- The police sirens were wailing
- Last night at 6 PM, I was eating dinner.
- I was watching TV yesterday in the evening.


3

2. Describe two actions that were going on at the same time in the past.
Example:
- I was studying while he was making dinner.
- While she was preparing dinner, he was washing the dishes.
- While my brother was laughing, my sister was crying.

3. Describe an action that was going on in the past when a shorter action
(expressed in the simple past tense) happened.
Example:
- When the phone rang, she was writing a letter.
- I was watching TV when she called.
- While John was sleeping last night, someone stolen his car.

C. The Rule to Forming Past Continuous Tense
The rules to forming of past continuous tense is:
1. Positive sentence


Example:
- She was eating a chicken.
- We were painting the gate.
- When I woke up, my sister was washing the clothes.

2. Negative sentence


Example:
- She was not eating a chicken.
- We were not painting the gate.
- When I woke up, my sister was not washing the clothes.


Subject + Was/ Were + verb
1
-ing + Object

Subject + Was/ Were + NOT + Verb
1
-ing + Object

4

3. Interrogative sentence


Example:
- Was she eating a chicken?
- Were we painting the gate?
- Was my sister was washing the clothes when I woke up?

D. The Rule to Forming Past Continuous Tense in Passive Voice
The passive form of the past continuous tense consists of was or were
+ being + the past participle of the verb. We use the passive form of the
past continuous tense to express an action done to the subject. The action
must be in the past and must be unfinished at the time concerned
(http://www.myenglishgrammar.com/past-continuous-tense. html).
The rules to forming past continuous tense in active voice is:
1. Positive sentence


Example:
- The chicken was being eaten by her.
- The gate was being painted by us.
- The clothes were being washed by my sister when I woke up.
- While the room was being cleaned, I arrived.

2. Negative sentence


Example:
- The chicken was not being eaten by her.
- The gate was not being painted by us.
- The clothes were not being washed by my sister when I woke up.
- While the room was not being cleaned, I arrived.
Was/ Were + Subject + Verb
1
-ing + Object ?

Subject + Was/ Were + Being + Verb
3
+ By + Object
Subject + Was/ Were + NOT + Being + Verb
3
+ By + Object
5

3. Interrogative sentence


Example:
- Was the chicken being eaten by her?
- Was the gate being painted by us?
- Were the clothes being washed by my sister when I woke up?
- Was the room being cleaned when I arrived?



Was/ Were + Subject + Being + Verb
3
+ By + Object ?
6


CHAPTER III
CLOSING

A. Conclusion
The past continuous tense (also called the past progressive tense) is
commonly used in English for actions which were going on (had not
finished) at a particular time in the past. It is used to express a continued or
ongoing action in past, an ongoing action which occurred in past and
completed at some point in past. It expresses an ongoing nature of an
action in past.
The passive form of the past continuous tense consists of was or were
+ being + the past participle of the verb. We use the passive form of the
past continuous tense to express an action done to the subject. The action
must be in the past and must be unfinished at the time concerned.

B. Suggestion
The authors realize there are still many shortcomings and weaknesses
about this paper, sehingga Author much hope to the readers, providing
constructive criticism and suggestions for the perfect paper to the author in
the writing of the paper in the next opportunities.
Hopefully this paper is useful for writers in particular are also dear
readers in general. Such review this time, may be useful for you and also
inspire.





7


BIBLIOGRAPHY

Anonymous. (2011). Past Continuous Tense. Can be accessed at URL: http://
www.myenglishgrammar.com/past-continuous-tense.html. Accessed on 08
April 2014.

Martinus, Surawan. (2008). Cara Mudah Belajar dan Memahami Tenses.
Yogyakarta: Indonesia Tera.