Past simple vs. past continuous

Past simple vs. past continuous

We use the past simple to talk about finished actions in the past, often with a definite time, or to talk about a series of finished actions.

• We went to the beach on Saturday afternoon.
• She came home, made a cup of tea and read the newspaper.

We use the past continuous to talk about actions in progress at a moment in the past.

• Were you waiting for the bus at about 8 o'clock last night?

We use the past continuous and the past simple together when we describe an action that was in progress when another action interrupted it.

• She was watching TV when the telephone rang.

We also use the past continuous and the past simple together in narratives. We use the past continuous to describe scenes and the past simple to describe events.

• It was raining hard and a cold wind was blowing. Sheila put on her coat, opened the door and went outside.

Past simple

Affirmative and negative

I/You/He/She/We/They

arrived didn't arrive

yesterday.

Question

Did

I/you/he/she/we/they

arrive

yesterday?

 

Past continuous

Affirmative and negative

You/We/They	were (not)	watching.
I/He/She	was (not)

 

Question

Were	you/we/the	watching?
Was	I/he/she