When use simple past and past continuous?
When use simple past and past continuous?
We use the past continuous to talk about events and temporary states that were in progress around a certain time in the past. We use the past simple to talk about events, states or habits at definite times in the past.
How do beginners learn past continuous?
Continue introducing the past continuous by asking students simple questions in the past simple about events. Follow up these questions with a question asking what was happening when the event occurred. When did you leave home this morning – At nine o’clock. What was your sister doing when you left home?
Where do we use past simple?
The simple past tense shows that you are talking about something that has already happened. Unlike the past continuous tense, which is used to talk about past events that happened over a period of time, the simple past tense emphasizes that the action is finished.
When we can use past continuous?
We generally use the past continuous to talk about actions and states in progress (happening) around a particular time in the past. It can emphasise that the action or state continued for a period of time in the past: A: Where was Donna last night?
When can I use past continuous?
How is past simple form?
Level: beginner. With most verbs, the past tense is formed by adding –ed: called.
What do you know about simple past?
The simple past is a verb tense that is used to talk about things that happened or existed before now. Unlike the past continuous tense, which is used to talk about past events that happened over a period of time, the simple past tense emphasizes that the action is finished.
How are the past continuous and past simple used in English?
Look at these examples to see how the past continuous and past simple are used. When I woke up this morning, it was snowing. I was sleeping when you called me. Try this exercise to test your grammar. Read the explanation to learn more. The past continuous and the past simple help us to show how two past actions or situations are connected.
How do you use the past simple action and continuous action together?
When we use these two tenses together, it shows us that the past simple action happened in the middle of the past continuous action, while it was in progress. While I was studying, I suddenly felt sleepy. We often use these tenses to show an action interrupting another action. I broke my leg when I was skiing.
What is the difference between past simple and regular simple?
Past simple. The past simple shows us that an action was in the past, not in the present. Regular past simple verbs have – ed at the end (e.g. called, played, arrived ). Irregular verbs have a different form, usually with a different vowel sound (e.g. wake → woke, break → broke, feel → felt ). My parents called me yesterday.
What is the difference between continuous and simple form of working?
We use the simple form (worked) when we are thinking of the action as a completed whole, while we use the continuous (was working) when we are thinking of the activity as a process, particularly as the background to some other action or event, such as an event which interrupts the working before it ends (i.e. happens in the middle of it).
