Past simple Vs Past Continuous

Start

Past Simple vs Past Continuous

Past Simple

Form & Use

PastContinuous

Form & Use

Index

Past Simple

FORM

Past Simple

Use

• Complete actions in the past

Last year he went to the Algarve in summer.

• Habits in the past

When they were younger, they travelled abroad every summer.

We use the past simple to talk about

Past Continuous

FORM

Past Continuous

Use

• an action in progress at a specific time in the past

They were walking in the park yesterday morning.

• two actions happening at the same time in the past

While some people were jogging, others were cycling.

• a longer action in the past interrupted by a shorter one (past simple)

I was having a beautiful dream when the alarm clock rang

We use the past continuous to talk about

Time markers

• when
• while
• as
• at that time/moment

Time markers

• yesterday
• last week/month/year
• ago
• the day/week before
• in 2008