Question

Fill in the blank with the correct form of the word.
While the doctor _____ (examine- correct form of verb) the patient, there was an uproar in the hall.

Answer 1

Hint: We use the past continuous tense to indicate two actions or events that were taking place at the same time in the past. We need to use the suitable form of the past continuous tense in the given blank.

Complete answer:
 As given in the hint, past continuous tense can also indicate interruption caused by an action in the past.
Let’s look at the structure and usage of the past continuous tense-
1) Structure- Subject + was/were + present participle + object.
Usage- We were playing a game when he fell off the stairs. Here, we can conclude that two actions took place at the same time in the past.
$\Rightarrow$ We use ‘was’ with singular nouns and pronouns while we use ‘were’ with plural nouns and pronouns. For example- She was, he was, they were, we were, etc.
In the given question: We can conclude that while the doctor was examining the patient, there was an uproar in the hall. Here, two consecutive actions took place at the same time in the past.
Hence, the correct answer is; While the doctor was examining the patient, there was an uproar in the hall.

Note:
Keep in mind, past continuous tense is also known as past progressive tense. In the past continuous tense, a specific time expression only postpones the action.