Past Continuous vs Past Simple

Tocaciu Raul

PAST SIMPLE
PAST CONTINUOUS
We use the past simple for:
an action which was completed at a
stated time in the past.

They watched a film last night.(The
time is stated. The action was
completed.)
Philip finished university last year.
actions which happened immediately
one after the other in the past.

First he chopped the meat and then he
sliced the onions.
Time expressions used with the past simple:
1. ago
2. yesterday
3. last month/week
4. in 1998, etc.
We use the past continuous for:
an action which was in progress (i.e.
was happening) at a stated time in
the past. We do not know when the
action started or finished.

At eleven o clock this morning, Diana
was studying. (We do not know when
she started studying or when she
finished.)
two or more actions which were
happening at the same time in the
past (simultaneous actions).

He was relaxing in the living room
while his son was playing in the
garden.
a past action which was in progress
when another action interrupted it.

He was having a shower when the
phone rang. (The phone interrupted
his shower.)
Time expressions used with the past
continuous:
1. while
2. when
3. as
4. all day/night/morning
5. all day yesterday, etc.
When the boat was leaving the port on
Thursday afternoon the sun shone
and the sea was being calm.



left
was shining
was
The two men fished near White Island
when the weather suddenly was
changing.



were fishing
changed
The men was deciding to return to the
port, but unfortunately the boat was
hitting a rock and was sinking almost
immediately.

decided
hit
sank
When the Search and Rescue
helicopter was arriving at the scene
the men held onto floating pieces of
wood.


arrived
were holding
We were arriving late on Friday night
and the banches was being still
crowded.



arrived
was