You use the past progressive to talk about an activity in progress at a certain point
of time in the past!

When I came to the party only one couple was dancing on the dance floor - they were dancing cheek to cheek. The others were just hanging around. Mary and Paul were standing at the counter and talking. Roger was standing alone and watching the couple on the dance floor. Jane, Peter and Sharon were having a drink. Catherine and Raymond were sitting next to the dance floor. Raymond was obviously trying to explain something to her, but she was looking away and smoking a cigarette. George was serving a drink to Marianne.

I said hello, but nobody seemed to notice my arrival.

                     THE PAST PROGRESSIVE - FORM
Statements
        
I
was working
  
we
were working
you
were working
  
you
were working
she/he/it
was working
  
they
were working

Negative Statements
 
I
was not / wasn't working
we
were not / weren't working
you
were not / weren't working
you
were not / weren't working
she/he/it
was not / wasn't working
they
were not / weren't working

Yes/No Questions
 
Was I
working?
Yes, I was.       
No, I was not / wasn't.
Was he
working?
Yes, he was.
No, he was not / wasn't.
Were they
working?
Yes, they were.
No, they were not / weren't.

Information Questions
   
Where   were you going?              To London.
  
What     was he doing?                  Cooking.
  
Information Questions (Subject)
 
Who
was going to London?
 
Peter.
 
What
was happening?
 
Nothing much.
 

 

 

THE PAST PROGRESSIVE