PAST CONTINUOUS VS PAST SIMPLE

Past continuous + Past simple

We also very often use a combination of the past simple and past continuous tense.

The past continuous tense is used for longer actions whereas the past simple is used for shorter ones that happened in the middle of the long action. In these sentences, we often use adverbs when or while.

Long actions while (Past continuous) Short actions when (Past simple)

Examples: While I was playing the piano, you telephoned me. / I was playing the piano when you phoned me. I was watching TV when someone knocked on the door. / While I was watching TV, someone knocked on the door.

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