PAST SIMPLE AND CONTINUOUS
The Past Simple The Past Continuous
We use this tense when: We use this tense:
● The action finished in the past ● To express the idea that an action was in
progress in the past
● Series of completed actions in the
past ● When one actions in progress is
interruped by another action in the past
● Together with Past Continuous, when
Past simple action interrupts a ● to show that two actions are taking place
progressive action in the past at the same.
Examples:
● To describe the background to the events
I visited Berlin last week.
First I got up, then I had breakfast. in a story.
They were playing cards when the telephone
rang. Examples:
● I was watching TV yesterday in the
evening.
● I was talking with James when the
telephone rang.
● I was wathcing TV and Barbara was
reading a book.
● We were walking in the woods. The sun
was shining, the birds were singing…
Time expressions Time expressions
● yesterday ● At five o’clock, at noon,
● three days/weeks/months/years ago ● at midnight…
● last week/month/year ● All the time
● in 2004, on 3rd September ● At that moment
● In the 19th century, in those days… ● The whole evening (morning, afternoon)
● Last year at this time (yesterday at this
time)
● From 5 to (till) 8
● All day (night) long
Complete the sentences using SIMPLE PAST or PAST PROGRESSIVE
1. She ................... (make) a cake when I .................... (come) home from work.
2. When I ....................... (open) the door they ....................... (stop) talking.
3. We ............………………..... (have) dinner when they ......................... (arrive).
4. She ................................................ (live) in Hastings at that time.
5. They ................................................... (come) home very late last night.
6. As he .............……….. (be) ill I .............................. (stay) to look after him.
7. ...................................... (you/know) the answers to their questions ?
8. He ................ (stand) up,.................... (take) his case and .............(leave).
9. When you .................... (arrive) ............................. (Janet /make) dinner ?
10. We ................. (arrive) just in time, she .....………............. (get) on the train !
11. It ............................... (not take) me as long as I thought to get to Paris.
12. When I .............. (be) on holiday I ......................... (have) a lie-in every day.
13. They ...............……... (have) breakfast when the postman .................. (arrive).
14. Everybody ....................... (start) clapping when the clown ..............(arrive).
15. I didn’t want to disturb him because he ............................ (read) the newspaper.
16. Just as I ...................... (open) the door my neighbour .................. (call) me.
17. As they ....................... (make) an terrible noise, we could hear what the man said.
18. That day she ................................ (wear) a beautiful red dress.
19. When the waiter .............. (bring) the steak he said he ...............(not eat) meat.
20. What .................................... (you/do) at that time ?
