PAST CONTINUOUS VS

SIMPLE PAST
PAST CONTINUOUS

 We use the past continuous to describe actions in progress in the past.

 Subject + was/were + verb + ing
 Was/were + subject + verb + ing
What were you doing at 8 o´clock last night?
I was watching television.
 We usually use the past continuous and the past simple tense together.
When I woke up this morning it was raining and my father was singing in the
kitchen.
 Rita was standing under a tree when it began to rain.
We use simple past for an event that interrupts an action in progress. We usually
use the simple past for clauses beginning with when.
 When they arrived, Jeff was cooking
dinner.

 When they arrived, Jeff cooked dinner.

Past Simple Vs Past Continuous
 1. The children (play)________ in the park when it started to rain.
2. I was watching a movie when I (notice)________ him standing outside.
3. She arrived when I (have)________ a bath, so I couldn't answer the door!
4. I (see)________ a famous celebrity when I was shopping on Oxford Street yesterday.
5. She was drinking too much so she (fall)________. I hope she learnt her lesson!
6. Charlie (hide)________ in my wardrobe when Lola found him. She screamed!
7. The computer (break)________ when I was checking my bank balance.
8. She was smiling until the terrible singer (come)________ on stage.
9. I (live)________ in Cape Town when Michelle Obama visited.
10. My parents were watching me carefully but my brother (distract)________them so I could sneak
out the window!
References

 Richards, J.& Bohlke, D.(2014) “Four corners Teacher´s edition”, NY, USA
Cambridge University Press.
 Shrampfer, A. “ Understanding and using English Grammar”,New Jersey,USA,
Prentice Hall Regents.
 www.ecenglish.com
 www.ego4u.com
 learnenglish.britishcouncil.org