Past Simple Vs Past Continuous

Past Simple Vs Past Continuous

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Here's a quick reminder of the rules of using past simple and past continuous together.

In this sentence there are two verbs:

I was watching television when he arrived.

The first action is a long action - it lasted for a period of time. We therefore use the past continuous.

The second action is a short action that has interrupted the first. So for this we need past simple!

The regular past simple is formed using 'ed' and the past continuous is formed using was/were + past participle.

Ttry the exercise below and see if you can decide which verb needs which tense. Good luck!

• 1. The children (play) in the park when it started to rain.

• 2. I was watching a movie when I (notice) him standing outside.

• 3. She arrived when I (have) a bath, so I couldn't answer the door!

• 4. I (see) a famous celebrity when I was shopping on Oxford Street yesterday.

• 5. She was drinking too much so she (fall). I hope she learnt her lesson!

• 6. Charlie (hide) in my wardrobe when Lola found him. She screamed!

• 7. The computer (break) when I was checking my bank balance.

• 8. She was smiling until the terrible singer (come) on stage.

• 9. I (live) in Cape Town when Michelle Obama visited.

• 10. My parents were watching me carefully but my brother (distract) them so I could sneak out the window!