Speaking: Past Simple and Past Continuous - Part 13
Make sentences using the Past Simple and the Past Continuous
Look at the picture and say what was going on when it happened. Nothing is checked here - the task is for speaking.
Rule: Past Continuous and Past Simple ShowHide
Past Continuous
was / were + -ing – an action in progress at a moment in the past.
At eight o'clock we were watching a film.
It wasn't raining.
Were your parents watching TV?
Past Simple
A short, finished action, or one action after another.
The doorbell rang.
Jill got up and had breakfast.
Together
A longer action (Past Continuous) is interrupted by a short one (Past Simple).
- when + Past Simple: I was doing my homework when the doorbell rang.
- while + Past Continuous: While Steve was driving, his phone rang.
- Two long actions at the same time: While Mum was cooking, Dad was reading.
was with I / he / she / it, were with you / we / they: The dog was chasing the cat. Kate and John were eating dinner.
Games on Past Continuous and Past Simple
Ready-made games on this topic. Open one on the board and play in teams.
