Past Continuous Or Past Simple

Past Continuous Or Past Simple:

Should we use the past continuous or past simple? The difference between the past continuous and past simple is about the action. Use the past simple to describe finished actions, and use the past continuous to describe unfinished actions. I explained each of these past tenses individually here, feel free to check them: Past tense & Past continuous 

However, in this post, I will show you how to easily tell if you need to use past continuous or past simple. I will even teach you how to use the past continuous and past tense in one sentence! Let’s have a look at the following examples:

I was doing my work when the phone rang.

Past Cont                                                              Simple Past

Explanation: It means my work was interrupted by the phone call. It is about two actions happened at the same moment.

She was doing her homework when the power went out.

Past Cont                                                                              Past Tense 

Explanation: the power outage interrupted the continuation of her homework.

I was walking to college when I realized I forgot my assignment at home.

Explanation: the action of walking was interrupted by the realization of forgetting the assignment.

Using Past Continuous in both parts of the sentence:

If two actions happen at the same time, use the Past Continuous. You can use (when or while) to connect between both parts of the sentence. Let’s have a look at the following past continuous examples:

She was cooking when he was watching TV in the living room.

                 past cont                                    past cont

Explanation: two actions were happening at the same time, the cooking and watching.

The professor was giving a lecture while the students were taking notes. 

Explanation: two actions were happening at the same time, the lecture and note taking.

Using the simple past tense in both parts of the sentence:

If two finished actions happened at the same time, use (when), but if one happened after the other, use (as soon as). You can even use (then) when speaking about sequence of events. Let’s have a look at the following simple past tense sentences to learn more:

She finished her homework, and then she went to bed.

Explanation: It is about sequence of events. It shows that the homework was done before going to sleep.

He played video games and I listened to some music.

Explanation: two finished actions happened at the same time or maybe one after another, though it is not indicated.

Let’s have a quick recap by looking at plenty of past simple and past continuous examples to know when to use past continuous or past simple:

I was reading a book when my brother called me

He was studying for his exams when the phone rang

They visited France and took many photos

He finished his project and then watched TV

While he was taking a nap, his wife was preparing for dinner

She was doing her homework while watching TV