Video Lessons. Past Simple and Past Continuous

The past simple is used:

 For an action that started and ended in the past.

*I saw a ghost last Friday. For a repeated action in the past.
*When I was young, I watched lots of television every day after school.*
*(We could also say, I used to watch lots of television.)

 For stative verbs, which are verbs that do not express an action, but a state of mind or being,

e.g. have (own), be, think (believe), know, dislike, need, owe, understand, wish.

*He had a small cottage in the woods.
*He wasn't afraid of ghosts. Regular past simple tense verbs end in -ed.
*I talked to my uncle yesterday.
*I phoned my girlfriend this morning. Irregular past simple tense verbs do not end in -ed.
*You need to learn irregular past tense verbs.
*I felt sick yesterday morning so I went to the doctor.

The past continuous tense is used: 

When talking about TWO actions in the past; one continues for a period, and the other starts and ends (past simple).

*While I was talking on the phone, someone stole my car.
*I was making breakfast when the cat knocked over the milk carton, so I burnt the toast. These sentences usually use while or when.

To talk about TWO actions in the past, both happening over a period.
*I was working on my computer and my children were watching television. 

To talk about a TEMPORARY activity taking place over a limited time.

*I was living in Indooroopilly when it happened.
*I was staying at my friend's house while my parents were touring Italy.

Past Simple or Past Continuous

Quiz

5:58

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1. I ________ an interesting film at 9 o'clock yesterday.
   
   1.   watched
   2.   was watching
2. Last month I _______ to buy a new car, and today I finally________ it.
   1.   decided; bought
   2.   decided; was buying
3. ________ a good time in Brazil? Yes, I had a blast!
   1.   Did you have
   2.   Were you having
4. We ________ breakfast when she walked into the room.
   1.   were having
   2.   had
5. Hey, did you talk to her? Yes, I ________ to her.
   1.   talked
   2.   was talking
6. What ________? I was watching TV.
   1.   were you doing
   2.   did you do
7. Robin Hood was a character who ________ from the rich and _______ to the poor.
   1.   was stealing; was giving
   2.   stole; gave
8. I ________ home very late last night.
   
   1.   was coming
   2.   came
9. I ________ to see her twice, but she wasn't home.
   1.   came
   2.   was coming
10. I ________ - I didn't hear you come in.
    1.   was sleeping
    2.   slept