Past Simple vs.

Past Continuous

Usamos el past continuous para hablar de una acción larga que se ve

interrumpida por una acción corta (en past simple).

I was doing my homework when my mobile rang.

Presente

Yo estaba haciendo los deberes … cuando sonó mi móvil.

The lights went out while we were watching the match on TV.
Se fue la luz mientras estábamos viendo el partido e la tele.

Mike was swimming when it started to rain.

Mike estaba nadando cuando empezó a llover.

A menudo se suele usar when con el past simple y while con el past
continuous.

I was doing the shopping when I saw Mary.

Estaba haciendo la compra cuando vi a Mary.

I fell asleep while the teacher was explaining the lesson.

Me quedé dormido mientras el profesor explicaba la lección.

Ejercicio 1 Completa las oraciones. Usa el past simple o el past

continuous.
Were driving (drive) down the motorway when we
1. We __________________
Saw
__________________ (see) the accident.
Was going
2. My grandad __________________ (go) to sleep while he
Watched
__________________ (watch) TV.
Was raining Leaved
3. It __________________ (rain) when we __________________ (leave)
school.
Waited
4. While she __________________ (wait) for the bus, somebody
1

Was stealing (steal) her mobile.

__________________
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© Gonzalo Orozco 2011

 Was being Tidied
5. Where __________________ (John /be) while you _________________
(tidy) his room?
Were doing (you/go) when I __________________
6. Where __________________ Saw
(see) you in town?
Was chatting (c hat1) on her mobile when the teacher
7. She __________________
Come
__________________ (come) in.
Was arguing (argue2) when you
8. My brother __________________
Knocked
________________ (knock3) at the door.
Was meeting (meet) my wife while I __________________
9. I __________________ Worked
(work) at university.
Waited
10. While I __________________ (wait) for Christina in the café, she
Was texting 4
__________________ (text ) me to cancel.

Ejercicio 2 Traduce al inglés las siguientes oraciones.

1. Me partí5 el brazo mientras estaba esquiando 6 en Sierra Nevada.

I was broking my arm while skied in sierra nevada
________________________________________________________
2. El profesor se enfadó7 con nosotros porque no estábamos prestando
atención8.
The teacher got angry with us because we weren't paying
________________________________________________________ attention.
3. Vi un accidente mientras iba andando 9 al colegio esta mañana.
I saw an accident while walking to school this morning
________________________________________________________
4. Me quedé dormido10 mientras veía la tele.
I fell asleep while watching TV
________________________________________________________
5. Enrique se marchó11 temprano porque no se sentía12 bien.
Enrique left early because he wasn't feeling well.
________________________________________________________

1
charlar
2
discutir
3
Llamar
4
Enviar mensajes de texto
5
break
6
ski
7
Get angry
8
Pay attention
2

9
walk
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10
Fall asleep
11
leave
12
feel

© Gonzalo Orozco 2011