5 • Past simple vs Past continuous
Read the theory. Say the examples in
your language. Now list all past simple/
past continuous forms in the text on
p.
76. How do we use each form?
We use the past simple for:
• actions which started and finished in the past.
She left an hour ago
• actions which happened one after the other in the
past. He stood up, got his bog and left the room
We use the past continuous for:
• actions which were happening at a specific time in
the past. He was sleeping at 7 o'dock last night
• two actions which were happening at the same time
in the past. She was cooking while he was working
an action which was happening in the past when
another action interrupted it. The action in progress is
in the past continuous. The action which interrupted
the action in progress is in the past simple. She was
doing her homework when the phone rong
the past