SIMPLE PAST VS. PAST PROGRESSIVE

Simple Past is used for activities or events that ……………………………………..

• began in the past but continue to the present.

• are unfinished which started in the past and are relevant to the present.

• began and finished at a specific time in the past.

• finished at a time in the past which is not mentioned.

Past Progressive is used for activities or events which ………………………

• began and finished at a specific time in the past.

• were in progress at a particular time in the past.

• started in the past but continue up to now.

• are in progress close in time to another action in the past.

As the Simple Past and Past Progressive are used in the same sentence, the …………………….. is a shorter action that interrupts a longer ……………………………. action.

• Past Progressive - Simple Past

• Simple Past - Past Progressive

• When - While

• Event - Continuous

When and while are used ……………………………………

• to separate Simple Past and Past Progressive sentences.

• not to link Simple Past and Past Progressive sentences.

• to link Simple Past and Past Progressive sentences.

‘When’ is used before the Simple Past verb. "when" at the beginning of a sentence, use a comma ",". "when" in the middle of a sentence, does not need a comma. So that, choose the two correct structures:

• When subject + verb in simple past, Subject + verb in past progressive.

• Subject + verb in past progressive, when subject + verb in simple past.

• Subject + verb in past progressive when subject + verb in simple past.

‘While’ is used before the Past Progressive verb. "while" at the beginning of a sentence use a comma. "while" in the middle of two sentences does not need a comma. So that, choose the two correct structures:

• Simple Past while Past Progressive.

• Simple Past, while Past Progressive.

• While Past Progressive, Simple Past.

Sometimes the Past progressive is used in both parts of the sentence when two actions are in progress at the same time. Choose the two correct sentences:

• Sally was cooking a delicious soup in the kitchen while Lucas was washing the dishes in the faucet.

• While Sally cooked a delicious soup in the kitchen, Lucas was washing the dishes in the faucet.

• While Lucas was washing the dishes in the faucet, Sally was cooking a delicious soup in the kitchen.

Yesterday, while I ………... to work, I lost control of my steering and ……………… another car on the street.

• was driving - run over

• was driving - crashed

• had been driving - crashed

• drove - run over

During the class yesterday, it ……………... difficult for me to pay attention to the teacher because the students outside of the classroom …………………… so much noise.

• was - had been making

• was - made

• was - were making

• was - had made

When I …………………….. to the railway station, Susan …………………… for me at the entrance.

• was arriving - waited

• arrived - waited

• arrived - has been waiting

• arrived - was waiting