Past 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.

TASK 2

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 11:30a.m I .____ (eat) a toast.

Past Continuous

TASK 2

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

TASK 2

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

TASK 2

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"

Task 2

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

Past Simple

Past Continuous

Task 2

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

Past Simple

Past Continuous

TASK 3

LET'S PRACTISE!

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.

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. WOULD + INFINITIVE I/you/he/she/it/we/you/they would go to school by bus.

BE USED TO = estar acostumbrado

Estar acostumbrado a algo: I am used to living in Madrid

Get USED TO = acostumbrarse

Acostumbrarse a algo: I am getting used to living in Madrid. I can't get used to the noise in the city.

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?