14– trainee (noun) – a person who is learning a new job
Example: He started work as a trainee engineer.

15– professional development (noun phrase) – training to improve skills and career growth
Example: The company offers opportunities for professional development.

16– in-house training (noun phrase) – training given within the company
Example: New recruits attend an in-house training programme.

17– new recruits (noun phrase) – people who have just joined the company
Example: The new recruits start training next week.

18– supervisor (noun) – the person who checks your work
Example: My supervisor reviews all my reports.

19– take on responsibility (verb phrase) – start to have more responsibility
Example: She is keen to take on more responsibility at work.

20– fill the post (verb phrase) – find someone to do the job
Example: We are looking to fill the post as soon as possible.

21– notice period (noun) – time you need to work after telling the company you are leaving
Example: My notice period is one month.

22– job offer (noun) – formal offer of employment
Example: She received a job offer after the interview.

23– ideal fit (noun phrase) – very suitable for
Example: Your skills make you an ideal fit for the role.

24– paid leave (noun) – time off work that you are paid for
Example: The company provides four weeks of paid leave per year.

25– reporting structure (noun phrase) – company structure and who you report to
Example: The reporting structure shows who your manager will be.

26– business days (noun) – working days (not weekends or holidays)
Example: Please return the signed document within five business days.

Past Progressive (Past Continuous)

1. What is the Past Progressive?

The past progressive tense describes an action that was in progress at a specific time in the past.

It shows that the action was happening or continuing in the past.

It is used for:
• Actions in progress in the past
• Two actions happening at the same time in the past
• A longer action interrupted by a shorter action
• Describing background situations in the past

2. Structure / Form

Affirmative (Positive)
Subject + was / were + verb-ing

Examples:
I was studying last night.
She was reading a book.
They were playing football.

Negative
Subject + was / were + not + verb-ing

Examples:
I was not studying.
She was not listening.
They were not playing football.

Short forms:
was not = wasn’t
were not = weren’t

Examples:
He wasn’t sleeping.
They weren’t working.

Interrogative (Questions)
Was / Were + subject + verb-ing?

Examples:
Was she studying?
Were they watching TV?
Was he driving?

3. Time Expressions Often Used
while
when
at that moment
at that time
all day
all night

Examples:
She was studying at that moment.
They were playing football all afternoon.

4. Main Uses

a) Action in progress in the past

Example:
I was reading a book at 8 p.m.
She was cooking dinner.
Meaning: The action was happening at that time.

b) Two actions happening at the same time

Structure:
Past Progressive + while + Past Progressive

Examples:
She was cooking while I was studying.
They were talking while the teacher was writing on the board.

c) Interrupted action

Structure:
Past Progressive + when + Simple Past

Examples:
I was studying when the phone rang.
She was walking when it started to rain.

Meaning: A longer action was interrupted by a shorter action.

d) Background description in a story

Examples:
The sun was shining.
People were walking in the park.
Birds were singing.

Meaning: These actions describe the background situation.

6. Simple Past vs Past Progressive

Simple Past → completed action

Past Progressive → action in progress

Examples:

I studied last night.

I was studying when you called.

She watched TV.

She was watching TV when I arrived.

7. Important Note
State verbs are usually not used in the progressive form.

Examples of state verbs:
know
believe
love
hate
understand
remember
Correct:
I knew the answer.

Not natural:
I was knowing the answer.