How to Use Were in Negative Answers about Continuous Action

In the previous chapter, you learned how to form affirmative answers about continuous action using ‘were’. In this lesson, we shall learn to form negative answers about continuous action using ‘were’.

Construction of a negative answer using ‘were’

The structure of a negative answer is as follows:

• No, + we/you/they/plural subject + were + not + present participle (-ing form) of the main verb + other words + full stop (.)

In brief, we can say:

No, + subject + weren’t.

• No, we weren’t.
• No, you weren’t.
• No, they weren’t.

Examples of ‘were’ in negative answers

Let’s see how to use ‘were’ in negative answers about continuous action with some examples.

Here are some examples. The formation is as above.

Have a look-

1. No, we were not moving forward with our parents.
   (No, we weren’t.)
2. No, you were not talking about my success.
   (No, you weren’t.)
3. No, they were not running a marathon.
   (No, they weren’t.)
4. No, we were not playing table tennis there.
   (No, we weren’t.)
5. No, they were not listening to music in a low voice.
   (No, they weren’t.)
6. No, we were not making dinner for them.
   (No, we weren’t.)
7. No, my friends were not spending the afternoon in the garden.
   (No, they weren’t.)
8. No, parents were not asking about their ward’s progress.
    (No, they weren’t.)
9. No, monkeys were not snatching the biscuits.
   (No, they weren’t.)
10. No, we were not spoiling water unnecessarily.
    (No, we weren’t.)
11. No, my grandparents were not taking me with them.
    (No, they weren’t.)
12. No, the dancers were not practising Bhangda.
    (No, they weren’t.)
13. No, you were not paying him extra money.
    (No, you weren’t.)
14. No, the singers were not singing a popular song.
    (No, they weren’t.)
15. No, they were not waiting for us.
    (No, they weren’t.)
16. No, we were not driving a car through the desert.
    (No, we weren’t.)
17. No, you were not working for him.
    (No, you weren’t.)
18. No, you were not visiting the flood-affected area.
    (No, you weren’t.)
19. No, girls were not constantly dancing.
    (No, they weren’t.)
20. No, we were not planning my studies.
    (No, we weren’t.)
21. No, the dogs were not barking at them.
    (No, they weren’t.)
22. No, the students were not decorating their class.
    (No, they weren’t.)
23. No, they were not walking in the street.
    (No, they weren’t.)
24. No, crows were not flying in the sky.
    (No, they weren’t.)
25. No, drivers were not driving the buses.
    (No, they weren’t.)
26. No, they were not informing us about the proper situation.
    (No, they weren’t.)
27. No, you were not showing me that picture.
    (No, you weren’t.)
28. No, Snehal and her friend were not attending the marriage.
    (No, they weren’t.)
29. No, you were not shouting at him.
    (No, you weren’t.)
30. No, snakes were not chasing their prey.
    (No, they weren’t.)

Related Lessons-

1. Was continuous negative answers 
2.  Use of: were
3.         negative sentences
4.                   questions
5.               affirmative answers

                                                      Back        Next

                                        All Grammar Listening Lessons