Past continuous

vs.
Past simple
BASIC 3 UINSA
Hello, listeners! This is Gore May with another restaurant review!

I made (1) reservation at Prima Vera Restaurant as soon as I heard about it. I was
expecting Prima Vera to be a very special place, and I was looking forward to eating
there. 

I came on time for my 1 p.m. reservation, but I had to (2)wait forty-five minutes! 

The manager didn't even (3) apologize. While I (4)was waiting, I looked at Prima
Vera's (5)menu. What prices! Strawberries and cream cost $15! 

Finally, my table was ready, but it was (6) ____ The rolls weren't fresh, and the
grilled fish was cold. 

"Perhaps the (7) _____ are better," I thought. 

I ordered a slice of chocolate nut cake. While I was eating it, I broke a (8) _____! 
I found a small stone in the cake! I complained to the waiter, and phoned my
insurance company.

Listeners, don't go to Prima Vera Restaurant! Eat at home. I promise you that you'll

enjoy it a lot more!
Hello, listeners! This is Gore May with another restaurant review!

I made a reservation at Prima Vera Restaurant as soon as I heard about it. I was
expecting Prima Vera to be a very special place, and I was looking forward to eating
there. I came on time for my 1 p.m. reservation, but I had to wait forty-five
minutes! The manager didn't even apologize. While I was waiting, I looked at Prima
Vera's menu. What prices! Strawberries and cream cost $15! Finally, my table was
ready, but it was dirty. The rolls weren't fresh, and the grilled fish was cold. "Perhaps
the desserts are better," I thought. I ordered a slice of chocolate nut cake. While I was
eating it, I broke a tooth! I found a small stone in the cake! I complained to the waiter,
and phoned my insurance company.

Listeners, don't go to Prima Vera Restaurant! Eat at home. I promise you that you'll

enjoy it a lot more!
 Past simple
It is used:
For an action that started and ended in the past:

For instance:
I made a reservation at Prima Vera Restaurant
 I came on time for my reservation, but I had to wait
forty-five minutes!
The manager didn't even apologize

Subject + Verb (regular/ irregular) + Complement.

Subject + Did + Not + Verb (base form) + Complement
 Past continuous
It is used:

When talking about two actions in the past; one

continues for a period, and the other starts and ends in
the past:
• While I was waiting, I looked at Prima Vera's menu.
• While I was eating it, I broke a tooth!

Subject + Was/Were + Verb –ing + Complement.

 (These sentences usually use
When and While)
When = short action
past tense
While = long action
past continuous

My mother called me, while I was

playing game
 Past simple
Affirmative statements:
Subject + Verb (regular/ irregular) + Complement.
• I played soccer last week.
• I saw the movie yesterday.

Negative statements:
ubject + Did + Not + Verb (base form) + Complement.
I didn’t play soccer last week.

Questions:
Did + Subject + Verb (base form) + Complement + ?
Did I play soccer last week?
 Past continuous
Affirmative statements:
Subject + Was/Were + Verb –ing + Complement.
• I was playing soccer with my friends.
• We were studying for the exam.

Negative statements:
Subject + Was/Were + Not + Verb –ing + Complement.
I was not playing soccer with my friends.

Questions:
Was/Were + Subject + Verb –ing + Complement + ?
Were you playing soccer?
Choose which verb tense (simple past or past continuous) fits
better:

1. I __________ I didn’t hear you come.

A) was sleeping B) slept

2. I ___________ to see her twice, but she wasn’t at home.

A) was coming B) came

3. what ___________?
I was watching TV.
A) did you do B) were you doing

4. Hey did you talk to her?

yes, I ___________ to her.
A) was talking B) talked