Past Simple Past Continuous Uses

esterday I woke up, I ate breakfast and I brushed my teeth.

• Action or series of actions completed in the past

• 1. Past habit

• Past state

I ate a croissant every day I was in France. 

• Action or series of actions completed in the past

• 1. Past habit

• Past state

I loved watching My Little Pony when I was a kid. 

• Action or series of actions completed in the past

• 1. Past habit

• Past state

I made a cake yesterday.

• Action or series of actions completed in the past

• 1. Past habit

• Past state

It was a beautiful morning. The sun was shining and the birds were singing. 

• Interrupted action

• Actions happening at the same time in the past

• Action in progress in the past

• 1. Background information about a story. (main event = PS) 

I was running when I tripped and fell.

• Interrupted action

• Actions happening at the same time in the past

• Action in progress in the past

• 1. Background information about a story. (main event = PS) 

While I was playing on my phone the teacher was explaining the tenses.

• Interrupted action

• Actions happening at the same time in the past

• Action in progress in the past

• 1. Background information about a story. (main event = PS) 

They were watching a movie last night.

• Interrupted action

• Actions happening at the same time in the past

• Action in progress in the past

• 1. Background information about a story. (main event = PS) 

I was running in the park this morning at 8.

• Interrupted action

• Actions happening at the same time in the past

• Action in progress in the past

• 1. Background information about a story. (main event = PS) 

I was watching TV when the lights went out.

• Interrupted action

• Actions happening at the same time in the past

• Action in progress in the past

• 1. Background information about a story. (main event = PS)