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Master English Grammar

When to Use Past Continuous vs. Past Simple

Learn the difference between Past Continuous and Past Simple. Understand when to use I was sleeping when the phone rang vs. I slept when the phone rang.

What’s the Difference Between Past Continuous and Past Simple?

Past Simple is used for completed actions or events in the past. Past Continuous describes actions that were in progress at a particular time in the past.

Why Is This Important?

Understanding when to use Past Simple and Past Continuous helps you communicate more clearly about past events.

How to Use Past Simple and Past Continuous

Past Simple is used for actions that happened at a specific time and are now complete.
Past Continuous is used for actions that were in progress at a specific time in the past.

Common Examples

She watched TV yesterday. (Past Simple)
I was reading when the phone rang. (Past Continuous)

Key Points

  • Use Past Simple for completed actions in the past
    • I visited Paris last year.
    • He worked all day yesterday.
  • Use Past Continuous for actions in progress at a specific time in the past
    • I was studying at 7 PM.
    • She was sleeping when I called.
  • Use Past Continuous to show interruption by a completed action
    • I was reading when the lights went out.
    • She was working when he called.

Rules for Using Past Simple and Past Continuous

  • Use Past Simple for completed actions or events in the past

    • She went to the store yesterday.
    • They visited Paris last summer.
    • He worked all day.

  • Use Past Continuous for actions in progress at a specific moment in the past

    • At 8 PM, I was watching TV.
    • She was cooking when I arrived.
    • We were studying at 9 PM last night.

  • Use Past Continuous for actions that were interrupted by another action in the past

    • I was sleeping when the phone rang.
    • They were talking when the teacher entered.
    • She was driving when she saw the accident.

  • Special Cases & Exceptions:

    Some verbs, called stative verbs, do not usually appear in the continuous form, even when describing past actions.

  • Avoid using stative verbs like know, believe, and understand in Past Continuous.

    • Incorrect: I was knowing the answer.
    • Correct: I knew the answer.
ExampleTenseUse
She watched TV yesterday.Past SimpleCompleted action
I was reading when the phone rang.Past ContinuousAction in progress
They were studying at 9 PM last night.Past ContinuousAction in progress at a specific time
I visited Paris last year.Past SimpleSpecific completed action

Disclaimer: I am not affiliated with the creators of these videos. These are publicly available resources used to provide additional information on the topic.