| st will look at when to use the past continuous | | | | Extra Note: A good example of this on television |
| and the past simple. It will give you a summary of | | | | is when you hear the police interview a suspect, |
| the two tenses together along with some | | | | 'What were you doing on the night of the |
| interesting ways to to help you to try and | | | | murder?' |
| remember when to use them. I have also included | | | | 2. Two actions that were happening at the same |
| some exercises and a quiz to help you practice. | | | | time. |
| For a detailed look at how the Past Simple is | | | | I was talking with Peter while Sarah was talking |
| formed you can see this here - Past Simple | | | | with John. |
| Forms | | | | They were listening to music while their mother |
| For a detailed look at how the Past Continuous is | | | | was cooking. |
| formed you can see this here. This also includes | | | | Past Continuous and Past Simple Together |
| when not to use it - Past Continuous Forms | | | | 1. Interrupted actions. |
| Past Simple | | | | The past continuous is used to show that a longer |
| 1. The past simple is used for completed actions in | | | | action in the past was interrupted by another |
| the past at a specific time. This specific time | | | | action (past simple). Notice the use of 'when' |
| might or might not be mentioned. | | | | I was reading the newspaper when my father |
| I watched the football game last night. | | | | called me. |
| He finished his homework. | | | | I saw you yesterday. You were sitting on the |
| Sarah saw you this morning. | | | | bench near the school. |
| 2. It is used for a duration that starts and stops in | | | | The sun was shining when I got up today. |
| the past. | | | | 2. The Past Continuous is used to give the |
| I lived in Spain for 2 years. | | | | background of an action, followed by the Past |
| Did you speak to her for long? | | | | Simple to show what actions followed. |
| Yes. I spoke to her for 3 hours. | | | | I was walking in the park when I saw Bill. |
| 3. It is used for habits in the past. | | | | I was reading the newspaper when she came. |
| When I was young I played football everyday. | | | | They were talking when the concert started. |
| They went there all the time. | | | | We keep using the past simple to say that one |
| Did you play a musical instrument when you were | | | | thing happened after another e.g., I was walking i |
| at school? | | | | the park when I saw Bill. I stopped and we talked |
| Advanced note: This is similar to 'used to' e.g. I | | | | about the party. Then he had to go. |
| used to play football everyday. | | | | Exercises and Questions |
| 4. It is also used for past facts or generalizations. | | | | 1. Answer the following questions; |
| She was very intelligent at school. | | | | What did you do last night? |
| We were the best team. | | | | What did you do at the weekend? |
| Did they move away a long time ago? | | | | What were you doing at 3am this morning? |
| Past Continuous | | | | What were you doing at 3pm on Sunday |
| 1. Action in progress at a specific time in the past. | | | | What were you like when you were 12? |
| At 8pm yesterday I was watching football. | | | | 2. Finish the following statements |
| This time last week you were making a speech. | | | | I was walking by the river when.. |
| At 3am this morning we were sleeping. | | | | I was watching television when.. |
| The sun was shining when I woke up this morning. | | | | This time last week I was.. |