V + रहा/रही + था (Was doing)

For actions that were happening at a past moment — 'he was eating', 'she was going'

Examples

masculine (रहा था)

वह खाना खा रहा था

He was eating food

feminine (रही थी)

वह खाना खा रही थी

She was eating food

Usage Notes

Same structure as present continuous, but with था/थी instead of है. Often used for setting the scene: जब मैं पढ़ रहा था, तभी फ़ोन बजा (I was studying when the phone rang).

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Related — Verb Tenses & Aspects

V-ता/ती/ते + है (I do / He does)

For things that happen regularly — 'he drinks', 'she works', 'I eat'

V-ता/ती/ते + था (Used to)

For things that used to happen regularly — 'he used to drink', 'she used to work'

V + रहा/रही + है (Is doing)

For actions happening right now — 'he is eating', 'she is going'

V-आ/ई/ए/या (Did)

For actions that are done and finished — 'he ate', 'she went', 'they came'

V-आ/ई + है (Have done)

For completed actions that still matter now — 'I have eaten', 'she has left'

All Grammar Points