Simple Past Tense vs. Past Continuous Tense We use the simple past tense to talk about completed actions in the past. Examples: 1. I completed my math homework in 10 minutes. 2. They earned $100 yesterday. 3. She finished reading the book in two hours. 4. He went to the bank to cash his check.
We use the past continuous tense to talk about things in progress at a specific time in the past.
Examples:
1. I was watching my favorite television show last night. 2. David was playing the piano in the school auditorium at 3 o'clock in the afternoon. 3. He was raking leaves yesterday morning.
SIMPLE PAST TENSE WITH PAST CONTINUOUS TENSE
To talk about an event in progress in the past that was interrupted, we can use a simple past time clause with when and a main clause in the past continuous tense.
Examples:
1. They were playing a video game when the power went out. 2. Roberto was eating his dinner when the doorbell rang. 3. The printer was printing my English report when the ink ran out. 4. When the television show started, Julie was making tea. 5. When the party started, everyone was cheering. 5. The teacher was teaching his class when the school president walked in.
To talk about an event that was happening at the same time another event was in progress in the past, we can use a past continuous time clause with while and a main clause in the simple past tense.
Examples:
1. She looked both ways while crossing the street. 2. The salesperson researched the product online while talking on the phone. 3. My husband ate dinner while watching his favorite TV show. 4. My son was brushed his teeth while reading his book. 5. Mark texted while driving his car.