Past continuous: talking about past actions
Listen once, then type what you hear.
0:00
Read the transcript
You completed the real listening sample. Open the lesson to continue.
Try another lessonEnglish dictation exercises
Hear a short recording, write what you catch, then check your answer. Missed a word? Replay it and try again. We add 9+ new full lessons every day.
Start with one short recording
Try this recording without an account. Choose an accent, then press Play. 3 free sentences in every lesson, no account needed.
What is an English dictation exercise?
In a dictation exercise you play a short recording and type exactly what you hear, then compare your text with the transcript. It trains you to catch small words, weak forms and word endings that reading never tests. MicroEnglish has 451 lessons with dictations, and you can try one here without an account.
- Start with a clip of a few seconds, then move to longer ones.
- Replay a clip or slow it down before you check your answer.
- Word-by-word checking shows exactly which words you missed.
Find your next dictation
Choose your level or a topic you want to practise. Each link opens a selection from the lesson library.
Browse the lesson library
Explore 451 lessons. Open a lesson for its dictation, explanation, and other available activities.
Showing 1 to 24 of 451 lessons
English Nouns: Rules for Everyday Use
3-second sample
American, British, Australian
Have or Has: Choosing the Right Verb Form
4-second sample
American, British, Australian
Simple present tense: rules and practice
4-second sample
American, British, Australian
A, an, and the: clear everyday rules
4-second sample
American, British, Australian
Adverbs: Add Information to Actions
4-second sample
American, British, Australian
Bought or brought? Getting ready for a games night
4-second sample
American, British, Australian
Choose I, me, my, or mine when sharing plans
2-second sample
American, British, Australian
Choose and, but, because, or so
4-second sample
American, British, Australian
Comparatives and superlatives: choose the right form
3-second sample
American, British, Australian
Dairy or Diary: How to Choose
3-second sample
American, British, Australian
English Adjectives: Describe People and Things
3-second sample
American, British, Australian
English exercises: choose what to practice
3-second sample
American, British, Australian
English grammar: choose your lesson
2-second sample
American, British, Australian
Full stops: when to use them
3-second sample
American, British, Australian
How to Spell Exercise: Avoid Common Mistakes
4-second sample
American, British, Australian
I or me: Choose the Right Pronoun
3-second sample
American, British, Australian
John and I or John and me: Choose the Right Form
4-second sample
American, British, Australian
John and I or John and me: Which Pronoun Fits?
3-second sample
American, British, Australian
Past continuous: talking about past actions
5-second sample
American, British, Australian
Practice speaking English: Ten simple steps
5-second sample
American, British, Australian
Regular and irregular verbs: How past forms change
5-second sample
American, British, Australian
Regular past verbs: report what happened and what is ready
Regular verbs have matching past simple and past participle forms, usually ending in -ed. The past simple reports a past action. A past participle works with other verbs, such as have or has in an update about the present.
3-second sample
American, British, Australian
Simple Past Tense: Actions and Past States
4-second sample
American, British, Australian
Then or Than: Choose the Right Word
4-second sample
American, British, Australian
How to practise English dictation
Dictation means writing the words in a recording. Use each replay to answer a specific question about what you heard.
Listen for the whole idea
Play the recording once before typing. Notice who is speaking and what the sentence is about.
Write what you hear
Type the words you catch. Replay the recording and listen for the gaps. Use word spaces for length clues, or choose the whole-sentence field.
Check the part you missed
Check your answer and compare the feedback with your words. Use a hint before revealing the transcript if you want another chance.
Listen again after the correction
Play the recording once more. Listen for the word you missed, then say the sentence aloud before moving on.
What to listen for when a word disappears
Short words can be easy to miss between stressed words. Compare these practice sentences:
I can send it today.
I sent it today.
The first sentence describes what is possible. The second describes a finished action. During dictation, replay the verb phrase and check whether you hear can send or sent. These are teaching examples, not the answer to the sample above.
Questions about dictation practice
Can I try a dictation without signing in?
Yes. You can play and check the sample on this page without an account. Access to other activities depends on the lesson and your membership.
Where can I see the answers?
Use Check answer for feedback on what you typed. Reveal shows the transcript when you are ready to compare it with your answer.
Do capital letters and punctuation affect my score?
Capital letters and punctuation do not affect the dictation score. Focus on hearing and spelling the words.
Which English accents can I practise?
Use the accent controls beside the recording. They show the recordings available for that exercise. The library also lets you filter by the accent of each lesson's sample.
How do I choose a level?
Start with a level you already study. If you can follow the idea but miss a few words, practise those details. If most words are unfamiliar, choose an easier lesson. The level links show the lessons currently available.
Is dictation the same as free writing?
In dictation, you write the exact words you hear. In free writing, you create your own sentences. Lessons may offer both activities, with different instructions and feedback.
Watch: You broke my heart — what does she mean?
A one-minute lesson from our YouTube channel: real English, what it means, and when to use it.
Plays here, from YouTube.
