Topic: Past simple vs Past continuous

Student’s name: Paula andrea Galeano Osorio Date: __06-03-2021__

Past continuous vs. simple past

I saw Sasha yesterday afternoon. He was teaching his

son to ride a bicycle
Use the past continuous tense to talk
about something in progress at a specific
time in the past
We weren’t watching a movie at 8:00 last night. We
were studying for a test.

Use the simple past tense to talk about This morning I got up at 6:00 o’clock, had a shower,
completed actions or situations in the past brushed my teeth, got dressed and ate breakfast.

Past continuous with the simple past

Use the simple past with the past

continuous to talk about a past event that
interrupted something already in progress I was writing the project when the lights went out

Use the time clause WHEN for the action It was raining very hard when they arrived at home
in the simple past and WHILE for the
action in the past continuous tense
Susan was studying while her son was playing
 While Terry was going home, a dog bit her leg

Use a comma after a time clause when it

begins a sentence
When I called you yesterday, you were busy

1. Grammar exercises

A. Write the correct past continuous form of the verb in parentheses

1. In class today Mr. Torres (talk) _was talking about challenges

2. They didn’t play basketball yesterday because it (rain) __was raining_
3. At 3 o’clock this afternoon Ivan (wait) _was waiting__ for the bus.

B. Choose the correct verb form to complete the sentence

1. Yesterday at this time Luis (took / was taking) a test.

2. At midnight we (slept / were sleeping).
3. Last night at 7:00 we (had / were having) lunch in a nice restaurant.

C. Match the phrases to form a sentence.

1. Their mother came home _b_ a. when I was in Montreal

2. Juan hurt his ankle _e_ b. while they were cleaning the house

3. I was reading your e-mail _d_ c. when they saw two police cars

4. It was snowing _a_ d. when I got your text. What’s up?

5. They were driving home _c_ e. while he was playing baseball

D. Choose WHEN or WHILE to complete the sentences

1. Selina was trying not to yawn (when / while) her boss was making a presentation.
2. (When / While) Tracy moved to Mexico, she didn’t speak Spanish.
3. I was getting used to my new school (when / while) my family moved to another city.

E. Complete the sentences using the correct past simple or past progressive form of the verb in
each case.

a) Linda’s mother (travel) was travelling on a business trip last week when she got (get) stuck in
the airport.
b) They _were working (working) in the morning when the thief _stole (steal) her bag.
c) Diego _broke (break) his leg while he was playing (play) tennis.

2. Listening exercise. Listen to Chris talking to Janice about his day at work. Choose the
correct option
 1. Does Chris like his job? 5. What time did Chris arrive in the office?

a) No, it's boring. a) 9.30am

b) Yes, he does. b) 9.15am

c) No, he hates it. c) 9am

2. What is Karen's job? 6. Whose dog was barking?

a) Boss a) Andrew's

b) Secretary b) Karen's

c) Receptionist c) Chris's

3. Why was Karen sad? 7. Why was the dog in the office?

a) She was ill a) it was sick

b) The boss said mean things to her b) it was depressed

c) She lost her job c) it was lonely

4. Where was the boss when Chris arrived?

a) at home, calling the office

b) on his computer

c) in his office

Exercise 1. Write sentences about the following pictures use WHILE or WHEN to connect the
ideas.

1-While the thief was stealing the necklace of the safe, he was caught by the policeman
2-maria and Pedro were playing when it started raining

3- the waiter was handing out drinks when the dog bit him

4- while the sick woman rode cycle two cars crashed