Past simple & Past continuous

Front

What is the past simple tense?

Back

The past simple tense is used to describe actions that were completed in the past. It often includes a specific time reference.

Front

How do you form the past simple tense for regular verbs?

Back

For regular verbs, add '-ed' to the base form of the verb (e.g., 'play' becomes 'played').

Front

What is the past continuous tense?

Back

The past continuous tense describes actions that were ongoing in the past, often interrupted by another action.

Front

How do you form the past continuous tense?

Back

Use 'was' or 'were' + the base form of the verb + '-ing' (e.g., 'was playing').

Front

When do you use the past simple tense?

Back

Use the past simple tense for actions that happened at a specific time in the past.

Front

When do you use the past continuous tense?

Back

Use the past continuous tense to describe actions that were in progress at a specific time in the past.

Front

What is an example of a sentence in the past simple tense?

Back

I visited my grandmother last weekend.

Front

What is an example of a sentence in the past continuous tense?

Back

I was reading a book when the phone rang.

Front

What is the difference between 'was' and 'were'?

Back

'Was' is used with singular subjects (I, he, she, it), while 'were' is used with plural subjects (you, we, they).

Front

How do you use the past continuous tense with the past simple tense?

Back

Use the past continuous to set the scene for an action in the past simple (e.g., I was cooking when he arrived).