Grammar match: THE SIMPLE PAST vs.

PRETERITE: BE + -ING

SIMPLE PAST PRETERITE: BE + ING

* Affirmative:
-> Regular verbs: BV + -ED * All forms (regular & irregular verbs):
eg. We played football. we use the auxiliary BE in the past(WAS/WERE) +
base form ending in -ING:
-> Irregular verbs: please learn them
SYNTAX eg. We ate a sandwich. eg.
Were you playing football?
* Questions & negation: use the auxiliary DID. Yes, we were playing football.
eg. Did you play football? No, we weren't (were not) playing football.
eg. No, we didn't play (did not play) football.

A short action, which took place in the past. It is often An action in the past, which was being done, when
MAIN USE dated. another short action interrupted it.
eg. In 1998, I went to Spain. eg. I was having a bath when the phone rang.

> TEST
Choose the right tense (simple past / BE + -ING) :
a) Last week, I _________________ (buy) a new car.

b) Sarah _______________________ (do) her homework when you __________________________ (arrive).

c) What ________________ you ___________________ (do) last summer?

d) Peter ________________ (not to go) to school: he __________________ (be) too tired.

> ANSWERS:
a) Last week, I BOUGHT a new car.

b) Sarah WAS DOING her homework when you ARRIVED.

c) What DID you DO last summer?

d) Peter DIDN'T GO to school: he WAS too tired.