Past Simple vs Past continuous:

Past Simple	Past Continuous
V2 or Ved • He worked. • I spoke.Did…V1? • Did I speak? – No, I didn’t. • Did he speak? – Yes, he did.	You were speaking. She was speaking. Was/Were + Ving Was/Were…..Ving? • Were you speaking? – Yes, you were. • Was she speaking? – No, she wasn’t.
*We use the Past Simple for:* 1. actions which happened one after anotherShe *came* home, *switched* on the computer and *checked* her emails. 2. completed action + stated timeShe passed her exam *last week. 3. past habits → used toWhen he was young, he rode/used to ride* his bike to school.	We use the Past Continuous for:action in progress + stated time Yesterday at 5 o’clock I was playing tennis. two or more actions at the same time Simon *was playing* on the computer while his brother *was watching* TV.description of surrounding/introduc-tion of a storyThey were travelling to Swansea, the sunwas shining, the birds *were singing…action in progress interrupted byanother past actionI was playing* football when I broke my ankle.
*Time expressions:*Yesterday, last night/week/month/, in 1994, 3 days/months ago	*Time expressions:*Yesterday at … o’clock, while, when/as

Past Simple vs Past continuous Grammar