PAST PROGRESSIVE and PAST SIMPLE

With expressions when and while.

Uses

Form

Practice
Remember earlier in unit 3…expression used with past
progressive:

“While”
(Mientras)

Used to link 2 simultaneous actions progressing in the past.

Example: “ You were sleeping while I was preparing for class.”

Now analyse this situation:

Jane was using the computer The phone rang Jane answered the phone

What was Jane doing when the phone rang? What did Jane do when the phone rang?
Jane was using the computer She answered the phone
(Past continuous) (Past Simple)

Jane began using the computer before the phone rang…

“Jane was using the computer when the phone rang”

=
“when the phone rang, Jane was using the computer”
 In the previous example …
“ Jane was using the computer when the phone rang ”

Considered the long action in progress in the past Considered the short action in the past
(Past progressive) (Past simple)

“When” is used in this case

to introduce a short action
that interrupts a long action
 In the previous example …
“ Jane was using the computer when the phone rang ”

In this context “while” can NOT replace “when”.

WHY?

“While” refers ONLY to long actions “When” USUALLY refers to interruptions,

in progress in the past. actions considered short.

BUT…
“When” ALSO can refer to
actions in progress in the past!

SO…
past simple
“While” + past progressive “When” +
past progressive
 Remember…
(Short action)
“While” + past progressive
(Long action) (Long action)

Now apply… while or when ?

when
1. They were walking down the street ____________ they saw an
accident.
while / when
2. _________________ they were watching a movie, someone burglarized
the house.
while / when
3. The teacher came into the class ____________ we were making a lot of
noise.
while / when
4. The teacher was talking ________________ the students were
laughing.
Preferred to link simultaneous actions in progress.
Complete the sentences with the past progressive or simple past form
of the verbs in parentheses.

was watching (watch) TV when I _______

I ____________ heard (hear) a strange noise outside.
were having (have) dinner, the phone (ring) _______.
1 While we ____________ rang

2 They _______ were surfing (surf).

saw (see) the dolphin while they ____________
was standing (stand) outside the bank when the robbers
3 Karen ____________
ran
_______ (run) out with the money.
called (call) him.
was playing (play) video games when I _______
4 Jason ____________
sent
5 Amy _______ were dancing (dance).
(send) an e-mail while her children ____________
was washing (wash) the car when dad _______
6 I ____________ came (come) home.