Past Simple versus Past Continuous

Front

What is the Past Simple tense used for?

Back

The Past Simple tense is used to describe actions that were completed at a specific time in the past.

Front

What is the Past Continuous tense used for?

Back

The Past Continuous tense is used to describe actions that were ongoing in the past, often in the background of another action.

Front

When do we use the Past Simple instead of the Past Continuous?

Back

We use the Past Simple for completed actions and the Past Continuous for actions that were in progress at a certain time.

Front

Provide an example of a sentence in Past Simple.

Back

I visited my grandmother last weekend.

Front

Provide an example of a sentence in Past Continuous.

Back

I was watching TV when the phone rang.

Front

What is the structure of a Past Simple affirmative sentence?

Back

Subject + past form of the verb (e.g., 'I walked').

Front

What is the structure of a Past Continuous affirmative sentence?

Back

Subject + was/were + verb-ing (e.g., 'I was walking').

Front

How do you form a negative sentence in Past Simple?

Back

Subject + did not + base form of the verb (e.g., 'I did not walk').

Front

How do you form a negative sentence in Past Continuous?

Back

Subject + was/were not + verb-ing (e.g., 'I was not walking').

Front

What is the question form for Past Simple?

Back

Did + subject + base form of the verb? (e.g., 'Did you walk?')