Past continuous vs. Past simple

 

Past Continuous	Past Simple
We use it for an incomplete or continuing action in the past	We use it for a single and complete action in the past
We use it for an interrupted action in the past	We use it to say that one thing happened after another.
We use it for repeated actions in the past(with always)	We use it to talk about past habits or regular actions in the past
We use it to describe a background scene	We use it to describe past events and actions

 

Exercise 3. Complete the sentences with the Past Continuous or the Past Simple.

Example: We were having (have) dinner when a friend of ours arrived (arrive).

1. Roy ______(see)Alice and Tina when he ________(go) to work this morning.
2. I________(break) a cup last night. I_______(do) the washing-up when it______(slip) out of my hand.
3. We ____(not/go) out because it__________(rain)
4. It _____(be) midnight. We______(drive) home.
5. Christopher Columbus _______(sail) in the Santa Maria when he_______(discover) America.

 

Exercise 4. Put the verb into the Past Continuous (I was doing) or Past Simple:

When we went ( go ) out,it was raining ( rain ).

I wasn't hungry last night. I didn’t eat (not/eat) anything.

Were you watching (you/watch) television when I phoned (phone) you?

1. Jane wasn't at home when I went to see her. She........ (work).

2. I........ (get) up early this morning. I..... (wash),........ (dress) and then I.... (have) breakfast.

3. The postman........ (come) while I........... (have) breakfast.

4. We........ (meet) Joan at the party. She........ (wear) a red dress.

5. The boys......... (break) a window when they........ (play) football.

6. I was late but my friends........ (wait) for me when I........ (arrive).

7. I........ (get) up at 7 o'clock. The sun....... (shine), so I....... (go) for a walk.

8. He....... (not/drive) fast when the accident........ (happen).

9. Margaret......... (not/go) to work yesterday. She was ill.

10. What........ (.you/do) on Saturday evening? ”I went to the cinema”

11. What........ (.you/do)at 9.30 on Saturday evening? “I......... (watch) a film in the cinema.