Focus 2 SE U2.2 Past Simple vs Continuous 1

To talk about longer actions which were in progress at a certain moment in the past you use

• the Past Simple.

• the Past Continuous.

To say that two things were happening at the same time you use

• the Past Simple and the Past Continuous.

• the Past Continuous twice.

To talk about the background of a situation in the past you use

• the Past Simple.

• the Past Continuous.

To talk about the main event in the past you use

• the Past Simple.

• the Past Continuous.

‘Julia and Sue were talking on Skype when the washing machine broke down.’

Which started first?

• The Skype conversation.

• The problem with the washing machine.

There are two words often used with the Past Continuous:

• while and when.

• while and after.

With the Past Simple we do NOT use

• while.

• when.

I was doing homework when the telephone rang.

• Odrobiłem zadanie, gdy zadzwonił telefon.

• Odrabiałem zadanie, gdy zadzwonił telefon.

• Odrabiałem zadanie, gdy dzwonił telefon.

• Odrobiłem zadanie, gdy dzwonił telefon.

Co robiłeś/łaś wczoraj o godzinie czwartej?

• What did you do at four yesterday?

• What were you do at four yesterday?

• What did you doing at four yesterday?

• What were you doing at four yesterday?

Which is correct?

• I was having a shower when the phone rang.

• I was having a shower when the phone ring.

• I was having a shower when the phone was ring.

• I was having a shower when the phone ringing.