Past Simple Vs Past Continuous

Simple Past
The simple past (also called past simple, past indefinite or preterite) is a verb
tense which is used to show that a completed action took place at a specific
time in the past. The simple past is also frequently used to talk about past
habits and generalizations. Read on for detailed descriptions, examples, and
simple past exercises.
Simple Past Forms
The simple past is formed using the verb + ed. In addition, there are
many verbs with irregular past forms. Questions are made with did and negative
forms are made with did not.
 Statement: You called Debbie.
 Question: Did you call Debbie?
 Negative: You did not call Debbie.
Complete List of Simple Past Forms
Simple Past Uses
USE 1 Completed Action in the Past
Use the simple past to express the idea that an action started and finished at a
specific time in the past. Sometimes, the speaker may not actually mention the
specific time, but they do have one specific time in mind.
Examples:
 I saw a movie yesterday.

 I didn't see a play yesterday.
 Last year, I traveled to Japan.
 Last year, I didn't travel to Korea.
 Did you have dinner last night?
 She washed her car.
 He didn't wash his car.
USE 2 A Series of Completed Actions

We use the simple past to list a series of completed actions in the past. These
actions happen 1st, 2nd, 3rd, 4th, and so on.
Examples:
 I finished work, walked to the beach, and found a nice place to swim.

 He arrived from the airport at 8:00, checked into the hotel at 9:00, and met the
others at 10:00.
 Did you add flour, pour in the milk, and then add the eggs?
USE 3 Duration in the Past
The simple past can be used with a duration which starts and stops in the past.
A duration is a longer action often indicated by expressions such as: for two
years, for five minutes, all day, all year, etc.
Examples:
 I lived in Brazil for two years.

 Shauna studied Japanese for five years.
 They sat at the beach all day.
 They did not stay at the party the entire time.
 We talked on the phone for thirty minutes.
 A: How long did you wait for them?
B: We waited for one hour.
USE 4 Habits in the Past
The simple past can also be used to describe a habit which stopped in the past.
It can have the same meaning as "used to." To make it clear that we are talking
about a habit, we often add expressions such as: always, often, usually, never,
when I was a child, when I was younger, etc.
Examples:
 I studied French when I was a child.

 He played the violin.
 He didn't play the piano.
 Did you play a musical instrument when you were a kid?
 She worked at the movie theater after school.
 They never went to school, they always skipped class.
Affirmative Negative Question
She was excited She wasn´t excited Was she excited?
They were in class They weren´t in class Were they in class?
You studied English You didn´t study English Did you study English?
She went to New York She didn´t go to New York Did she go to New York?
Past Continuous
Past Continuous Forms
The past continuous is formed using was/were + present participle. Questions

are indicated by inverting the subject and was/were. Negatives are made
with not.
 Statement: You were studying when she called.

 Question: Were you studying when she called?
 Negative: You were not studying when she called.
Complete List of Past Continuous Forms
Past Continuous Uses
USE 1 Interrupted Action in the Past
Use the past continuous to indicate that a longer action in the past was
interrupted. The interruption is usually a shorter action in the simple past.
Remember this can be a real interruption or just an interruption in time.
Examples:
 I was watching TV when she called.

 When the phone rang, she was writing a letter.
 While we were having the picnic, it started to rain.
 What were you doing when the earthquake started?
 I was listening to my iPod, so I didn't hear the fire alarm.
 You were not listening to me when I told you to turn the oven off.
 While John was sleeping last night, someone stole his car.
 Sammy was waiting for us when we got off the plane.
 While I was writing the email, the computer suddenly went off.
 A: What were you doing when you broke your leg?
B: I was snowboarding.
USE 2 Specific Time as an Interruption

In USE 1, described above, the past continuous is interrupted by a shorter
action in the simple past. However, you can also use a specific time as an
interruption.
Examples:
 Last night at 6 PM, I was eating dinner.

 At midnight, we were still driving through the desert.
 Yesterday at this time, I was sitting at my desk at work.
IMPORTANT
In the simple past, a specific time is used to show when an action began or
finished. In the past continuous, a specific time only interrupts the action.
Examples:
 Last night at 6 PM, I ate dinner.

I started eating at 6 PM.
 Last night at 6 PM, I was eating dinner.
I started earlier; and at 6 PM, I was in the process of eating dinner.
USE 3 Parallel Actions
When you use the past continuous with two actions in the same sentence, it
expresses the idea that both actions were happening at the same time. The
actions are parallel.
Examples:
 I was studying while he was making dinner.

 While Ellen was reading, Tim was watching television.
 Were you listening while he was talking?
 I wasn't paying attention while I was writing the letter, so I made several
mistakes.
 What were you doing while you were waiting?
 Thomas wasn't working, and I wasn't working either.
 They were eating dinner, discussing their plans, and having a good time.

Past Simple Vs Past Continuous

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Simple Past

Simple Past Forms

Complete List of Simple Past Forms

Simple Past Uses

USE 1 Completed Action in the Past

 I saw a movie yesterday.

USE 2 A Series of Completed Actions

 I finished work, walked to the beach, and found a nice place to swim.

USE 3 Duration in the Past

 I lived in Brazil for two years.

USE 4 Habits in the Past

 I studied French when I was a child.

The past continuous is formed using was/were + present participle. Questions

 Statement: You were studying when she called.

Complete List of Past Continuous Forms

Past Continuous Uses

USE 1 Interrupted Action in the Past

 I was watching TV when she called.

USE 2 Specific Time as an Interruption

 Last night at 6 PM, I was eating dinner.

 Last night at 6 PM, I ate dinner.

USE 3 Parallel Actions

 I was studying while he was making dinner.

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