2ESO4ESOPast Simple vs. Past Continuous

PAST SIMPLE VS. PAST CONTINUOUS

TASK 1

Look at the two sentences. Describe the differences between them. Identify the tenses.

I chatted to Ann last night.

At 10p.m. last night I was chatting to Ann.

USAGE

Analyse the differences between the Past Simple and the Past Continuous and fill in the gaps with the appropriate form of the verbs in brackets.

Completed action in the past

Ann _____ (move) to Rome two years ago.

Past Simple

Action in progress at a specific time in the past

At 11:30 last night, I .____ (eat) a pizza.

Past Continuous

USAGE

Analyse the differences between the Past Simple and the Past Continuous and fill in the gaps with the appropriate form of the verbs in brackets.

Sequence of actions in the past (one after another)

He ____ (buy), ___(wrap) it and ___(give) it to her.

Past Simple

Two or more unfinished actions in progress at the same time in the past

While we ____ (pack) our clothes for the trip, Bob ___(make) sandwiches.

Past Continuous

USAGE

Analyse the differences between the Past Simple and the Past Continuous and fill in the gaps with the appropriate form of the verbs in brackets.

William __(get) in the car and ___(drive) to town. Suddenly, he ___(realise) something __ (be) wrong.

To describe the main event in a story

Past Simple

It was early in the morning. Dad __(read) the newspaper and I __(get) dressed.

To give the background information in a story

Past Continuous

USAGE

Analyse the differences between the Past Simple and the Past Continuous and fill in the gaps with the appropriate form of the verbs in brackets.

Past routines or habits

Gran _____ (read) stories to me when I _____(be) younger.

Past Simple

Unfinished action in progress interrupted by a shorter action

She ____(walk) to school when she ___ (see) Julie.

Past Continuous

ONLY WITH "past SIMPLE"

STRUCTURE

How do we form the Past Simple and the Past Continuous?

Past Simple

Past Continuous

TIME EXPRESSIONS

Write down the time expressions that are used in the Past Simple and the Past Continuous.

Past Simple

Past Continuous

TASK 2

LET'S PLAY!

ANY QUESTIONS?

Used to Would be used to Get used to

USED TO = Solía

For habits in the past (= Past Simple): I used to take the bus to school. NEVER use it for actions that happened only once. STRUCTURE Affirmative sentences Subject + used to + infinitive + complements I used to watch Disney cartoons when I was five. Negative sentences Subject + didn't use to + infinitive + complements I didn't use to watch Disney when I was five. Questions Did + subject + use to + infinitive + complements Did you use to watch Disney when you were five?

Would = solía

For habits in the past (= Used to): I would take the bus to school. DON'T use it with negative and interrogative to talk about habits. DON'T use it with stative verbs to talk about habits. Often used to tell stories. STRUCTURE Subject + would + infinitive + complements I would go to school by bus.

BE USED TO = estar acostumbrado

Estar acostumbrado a algo: I am used to living in Madrid. I am used to the rain. STRUCTURE Affirmative sentences Subject + am/is/are used to + gerund/ noun + complements I am used to working at night. / I am used to long winters. Negative sentences Subject + am/is/are not used to + gerund/ noun + complements I am not used to working at night. / I am used to long winters. Questions Am/is/are + subject + used to + gerund/ noun + complements Are you used to working at night? / Are you used to long winters?

GET USED TO = ACOSTUMBRARSE

Acostumbrarse a algo: I can't get used to living in Madrid. I am getting used to the noise.STRUCTURE Affirmative sentences Subject + get used to + gerund/noun + complements I am getting used to living far away. / I am getting used to the new job. Negative sentences Subject + negative auxiliar + get used to + gerund/ noun + complements I can't get used to living far away. / I will not get used to the new job. Questions Interrogative auxiliar + subject + get used to + gerund/ noun + complements Did you get used to living far away? / Can you get used to the new job?

ANY QUESTIONS?

Affirmative sentences: I/you/we/they bought candies last week. He/she/it bought candies last week. Remember: second column of your verbs list! Negative sentences: I/you/we/they didn't buy candies last week. He/she/it didn't buy candies last week. Questions: Did I/you/we/they buy candies last week? Did he/she/it buy candies last week?

Affirmative sentences: I was playing football at that moment. You/we/they were playing football at that moment. He/she/it was playing football at that moment. Negative sentences: I wasn't playing football at that moment. You/we/they weren't playing football at that moment. He/she/it wasn't playing football at that moment. Questions: Was I playing football at that moment? Were you/we/they playing football at that moment? Was he/she/it playing football at that moment?