Past Simple, Past Continuous

Past Simple and Past Continuous

Past Simple tense

Usage:- to describe a completed action We cooked a delicious dinner yesterday. - describe series of actions The princess opened the door and saw a handsome prince.

Past Continuous tense

Usage:- to describe an action in progress in the past At 10 p.m. Bill was reading in bed. - to talk about finished past states or actions that lasted some time Susan and Bill were dancing all night.

Compare

Past Continuous I was reading an interested book yesterday. in the middle of an action

Past Simple I read an interesting book yesterday. completed action

Past Continuous

Two actions were happening at the same time in the past.I was driving home and listening to music. While I was reading, he was preparing lunch. He was preparing lunch while I was reading.

Past Simple and Past Continuous

An action in progress in the past interrupted by another action in the past.I was driving home when I saw the accident. My brothers were playing football when they broke a window. Paul got home while Lucy was cooking.

Past Simple and Past Continuous

Examples

Amy was reading a book when the phone rang.

when + Past Simple

The phone rang while Amy was reading a book.

VS

While Amy was reading a book, the phone rang.

while (when) + Past Continuous

When the phone rang, Amy was reading a book.

Thank you!