Wenn eine Handlung zu einem Zeitpunkt in der Vergangenheit gerade im Gange war, nimmst du was oder were + ein Verb mit -ing. was gehört zu I, he, she und it. were gehört zu you, we und they.
was / were + -ing – die Form
At seven o'clock, I was eating dinner.
They were sitting in the garden.
Not "They was sitting in the garden." — say "They were sitting in the garden.". Bei they nimmst du were.
Probier es aus: Ira: Who was in the school gym at eight? Amina: Some students. They ___ basketball. Wähle aus, was Amina sagt. (were reading / were playing / was swim) Antwort: were playing — Um acht war das Basketballspiel gerade im Gange, und bei they nimmst du were: were playing.
Verneinungen und Fragen
Für die Verneinung nimmst du wasn't oder weren't + -ing. Für eine Frage stellst du Was oder Were an den Anfang: Were you sleeping?
I wasn't listening.
Were you sleeping?
Not "Did you sleeping?" — say "Were you sleeping?". Frag mit Was oder Were, nicht mit did.
Probier es aus: Ira: Did you see the new painting in the hall? Amina: No, I ___. I was talking to the teacher. Wähle aus, was Amina sagt. (wasn't looking / wasn't talking / didn't watching) Antwort: wasn't looking — Amina hat gerade geredet, also waren ihre Augen nicht auf dem Bild: she wasn't looking.
broke, fell, hurt, dropped, spilled – kleine Missgeschicke
break → broke, fall → fell, hurt → hurt. Bei drop und spill hängst du einfach -ed an: dropped (das p wird verdoppelt), spilled.
He fell in the park.
The window broke.
She spilled the soup.
Not "He falled in the park." — say "He fell in the park.". fall hat eine eigene Vergangenheitsform: fell.
Probier es aus: Ira: Where's your blue cup? Amina: I dropped it, and it ___. Wähle aus, was Amina sagt. (hurt / falled / broke) Antwort: broke — Nachdem die Tasse auf den Boden gefallen ist, ist sie kaputt, also: it broke. Die Vergangenheit von break ist broke.
Die längere und die kürzere Handlung
Nimm was / were + -ing für die längere Handlung. Nimm die Vergangenheitsform für die kurze Handlung, die mittendrin passiert.
She was running when she fell.
Probier es aus: Ira: Is the art room clean now? Amina: No. I ___ it when you came in, so I stopped. Wähle aus, was Amina sagt. (was cleaning / cleaned / was cooking) Antwort: was cleaning — Amina hat mitten beim Putzen aufgehört, als Ira hereinkam, also heißt es was cleaning.
while + lang, when + kurz
Setz while vor die lange Handlung: while I was waiting. Setz when vor die kurze Handlung: when I saw him.
While I was waiting for the bus, I saw an old friend.
I was waiting for the bus when I saw an old friend.
Probier es aus: Ira: Where did you lose your umbrella? Amina: I lost it ___ I was walking home. Wähle aus, was Amina sagt. (then / while / finally) Antwort: while — Nach Hause gehen ist die lange Handlung, und while steht vor der langen Handlung.
first, then, after that, finally – der Reihe nach
Wenn du erzählst, was nacheinander passiert ist, nimmst du first, then, after that und für das Letzte finally.
First we bought tickets. Then we found our seats. After that, we saw a movie. Finally, we had pizza.
Probier es aus: Ira: How was your Saturday? Amina: Busy! I went to class, then I studied, and after that I cooked. ___, I went to bed. Wähle aus, was Amina sagt. (Finally / First / While) Antwort: Finally — Ins Bett gehen war das Letzte, also heißt es Finally.