This document discusses the differences between using the past simple and past continuous tenses in English. The past simple is used for short, definite actions in the past, while the past continuous is used for longer actions that were ongoing in the past or as a background for shorter past simple actions. Some examples provided are "I woke up early this morning" using past simple and "What were you doing at 8pm last night?" using past continuous. The document also explains how to connect actions using when or while to show if a short action interrupted or happened during a longer ongoing action.

1. PAST SIMPLE vs. PAST CONTINUOUS
Past Simple
•I woke up early this morning.
•Did you wake up early this
morning?
Past Continuous
•- What were you doing at 8.00
p.m. last night?
- I was studying a.t 8.00

2. • A Short action interrupted another longer action in the
past
She was cleaning a window when
the telephone rang.
she/clean a window telephone rang

3. She was cleaning a window when the phone rang
Longer action
(past continuous tense)
Short action
(past simple tense)
Now
Past
She was cleaning the window
the phone rang
(This action interrupted the
longer action)

4. While the children were playing in
the park, it started to rain.
While the children / play in the park it / start to rain
Longer action
(past continuous tense)
Short action
(past simple tense)

5. • A short action happened during another longer action in
the past.
While Kate was reading a book, the
dog came.
Kate / read a book the dog / come

6. While Kate was reading a book, the dog came.
Longer action
(past continuous tense)
Short action
(past simple tense)
Kate was reading a book
the dog came Action happened during
another longer action

7. Mike was driving a car when he saw
a helicopter.
Mike / drive a car see / a helicopter
Longer action
(past continuous tense)
Short action
(past simple tense)

8. WHEN or WHILE
When
When I arrived to the party, all my friends
were dancing
When before an action in past
simple (short action)
While
He dropped a plated while he was
washing the dishes
While before and action in past
continuous (longer action).
We use when or while to connect two actions in the sentences

9. Dylan was diving when he saw
a turtle.
Dylan / dive when / see / a turtle

10. Dylan was diving when he saw a turtle
Short action
(past simple tense)
Before the past simple

11. While David was doing his homework,
his friends came.
David / do homework his friends / come

12. While David was doing his homework,
his friends came
Longer action
(past continuous tense)
Before the past
continuous

13. Kate was cycling to work when she
felt hungry.
Kate / cycle to work feel / hungry

14. The school bell rang while my class
was playing table tennis
The boys /play table tennis the school bell/ring