past simple past continuous

• Engels
• Middelbare school
• vwo
• Leerjaar 1

Past simple - past continuous

When do we use the past continuous?

Past continuous

- the action started and finished in the past 

- an activity was in progress for some time, not just for a moment.

*** What were you doing at 8 p.m. last night? I was studying.

*** I was cooking all day.

*** We were cleaning the house all morning.

Past simple or past continuous? 

Past simple 

Past continuous

Last week, I sang a song.

Yesterday I was singing during the whole day! 

Verb + ed

did / didn't + verb

Last week, he had pizza for dinner.

was / were + verb + ing

The baby was sleeping this morning. 

My parents didn't like the song.

you were dancing all night!

past simple or past continuous?

Two tenses in one sentence:

Past simple & continuous in one sentence:

I was sleeping when my mom called me.

Past continuous used twice:

My brother was watching tv while my sister was doing the dishes

While I was walking home, I _____ a new shop on Green Street.

1. noticed
2. was noticing

While I was washing the dishes, I suddenly ____ a brilliant idea.

1. was having
2. had

____________ what you were looking for in the library yesterday?

1. Were you finding
2. Did you find

Any questions?

And now...

Creative assignment

+ questions about wonder

Well Done!