Past simple and past continuous: while, when and during
We use the past simple for finished actions: I opened the door. The negative is didn’t + base verb and the question is Did you …? We use the past continuous (was or were + verb-ing) for an action that was in progress at a moment in the past: At eight o’clock I was doing my homework. The negative is wasn’t or weren’t and the question is Were you …? Use the two together when a short action interrupts a long action: I was walking home when it started to rain. Long action: past continuous. Short action: past simple. Use while, as or just as with the long action: While we were having dinner, the lights went out. Use when with the short action. Use during with a noun: We spoke quietly during the lesson. Two long actions at the same time can both be continuous: Sara was reading while her brother was drawing. Do not use the continuous with verbs of state such as be, know, like, love, want, seem and have (own): I knew the answer, not I was knowing the answer.
| Use | Pattern | Example |
|---|---|---|
| Finished action | past simple | She opened the window. |
| Action in progress | was / were + -ing | She was reading at nine. |
| Long action + short action | was / were + -ing … when + past simple | I was walking when it rained. |
| State verb | past simple only | I knew the answer. |
Where were you at six o’clock yesterday, Omar?
I was playing football in the yard. Why?
I called you three times, but you didn’t answer.
Sorry! My phone was in my bag, so I didn’t hear it. What were you doing?
I was waiting for the bus when I saw your brother, and we talked for ten minutes.
Did he tell you about our match? We won two to one!
Strange day. Write a paragraph of 60 to 80 words about a day when the bus was late. Use at least two sentences with while or when, one with was or were plus -ing, and one with didn’t. Underline each past continuous verb in one colour and each past simple verb in another.