L4 C4 M2-Past Simple vs. Past Continuous

Past simple vs. Past Continuous

Past Continuous

Past Simple

describes the completed action that interrumpts the activity in progress in the past.

describes the activity in progress occurring at a specific moment in the past

Past Simple and Past Continuous are used to tell stories or to talk about an action in progress while a short action comes in the middle of it in the past. •The past continuous set the scene. •The past describes the main events.

You can use while / as / when with the Past Continuous. While she was texting, the thief stole her purse. As I was updating my profile, my computer crashed. When we were watching a movie, you were unfortutunately stressed working. You can use when in a sentence between the Past Simple and Past Continuous.He was crossing the road when the bike hit him.