Simple past vs past continuous

Front

What is the simple past tense used for?

Back

For an action that started and ended in a concrete moment of the past.

Front

What is the past continuous tense used for?

Back

To describe an action that was ongoing in the past.

Front

Complete the sentence: When he opened the window, it __________ (snow).

Back

was snowing.

Front

Complete the sentence: We were walking in the mountains when we_________ (see) a strange animal.

Back

saw.

Front

Complete the sentence: She missed the bus because she __________ (argue) with one of her friends.

Back

was arguing.

Front

Complete the sentence: How many people __________(stand) in front of the company when she arrived?

Back

were standing.

Front

What is the structure of the simple past tense for regular verbs?

Back

Base verb + -ed (e.g., walk -> walked).

Front

What is the structure of the past continuous tense?

Back

was/were + base verb + -ing (e.g., was walking).

Front

Give an example of a sentence in the simple past tense.

Back

I visited my grandmother last weekend.

Front

Give an example of a sentence in the past continuous tense.

Back

I was reading a book when the phone rang.