English grammar
Was wearing, was walking — but it looked like
Describe someone you saw.
From the scene He was wearing a long coat
In short
Describe what someone was wearing or doing with was / were + -ing. But say it looked like, not was looking like.
Your turn
Which one goes with an action then: was + -ing?
Options: it looked like a shadow (NOT "was looking like") · he was walking slowly · he was wearing a coat (NOT "carrying")
Show answer
an action then: was + -ing → he was walking slowly
How it works
To describe what someone was wearing or doing when you saw them, use was/were + -ing: he was wearing a coat, he was walking slowly.
Your turn
Pick the word that fits the line.
He (blank) a long coat and a cap.
Options: were wearing · wearing · was wearing
Show answer
He was wearing a long coat and a cap.
Llevaba un abrigo largo y una gorra.
Good to know
But look like is usually not used in the continuous: it looked like a shadow, NOT 'was looking like'.
Good to know
Clothes take wear, not carry: he was wearing a cap.
clothes: was wearing he was wearing a coat (NOT "carrying")
an action then: was + -ing he was walking slowly
Tomás
He was walking slowly, as if he was very tired.
Caminaba despacio, como muy cansado.
Your turn
What fills the gap?
(blank), as if he was very tired.
Options: He was wearing a coat · It looked like a shadow · He was walking slowly
Show answer
Tomás
He was walking slowly, as if he was very tired.
Caminaba despacio, como muy cansado.
what it seemed: looked like it looked like a shadow (NOT "was looking like")
Tomás
No, it looked like a shadow in the dark.
No, parecía una sombra en la oscuridad.
Your turn
What fills the gap?
No, (blank) in the dark.
Options: he was walking slowly · it looked like a shadow · he was wearing a coat
Show answer
Tomás
No, it looked like a shadow in the dark.
No, parecía una sombra en la oscuridad.
a description: was it was a very long coat
Tomás
Dark. It was a very long coat.
Oscuro. Era un abrigo muy largo.
Your turn
What fills the gap?
Dark. (blank).
Options: He was wearing a coat · He was walking slowly · It was a very long coat
Show answer
Tomás
Dark. It was a very long coat.
Oscuro. Era un abrigo muy largo.
Common mistake
Not was looking like or looks like here. Look like is not used in the continuous.
No, it looked like a shadow in the dark.
No, parecía una sombra en la oscuridad.
Practise it in the story
Meet this rule inside a short animated scene. Answer as it plays, then say the lines yourself.
Practise free in the appSee all forms
| clothes: was wearing | he was wearing a coat (NOT "carrying") |
|---|---|
| an action then: was + -ing | he was walking slowly |
| what it seemed: looked like | it looked like a shadow (NOT "was looking like") |
| a description: was | it was a very long coat |
More lines from the story
- TomásHe was wearing a long coat and a cap.Llevaba un abrigo largo y una gorra.
- ElenaWhat did they look like? Describe them to me.¿Cómo era? Descríbemela.
- ElenaA coat? What colour?¿Un abrigo? ¿De qué color?