The document summarizes the difference between using the simple past and past continuous tenses. The simple past is used for short actions, while the past continuous is used for longer actions that were interrupted by another action. Some examples are provided of sentences using "when" with the simple past to show interruption, and sentences using "while" with one verb in the past continuous and one in the simple past to show actions happening simultaneously. Finally, examples are given of situations that can use two verbs in either the past continuous or simple past tenses.

1. Simple Past
vs
Past
Continuous

2. Simple Past – short action
• If used together, ‘when’ – interrupted the longer
action.
• I was walking when he shouted at me.
• She was folding the papers when she cut her finger.
• They were washing the car when the cat jumped on
it.
• When the doorbell rang, we were watching a
horror movie!
• When she fell, her husband was holding their baby.
• Their husband was holding their baby when she fell.
• Now you try to give one example and let teacher
check!

3. Past Cont – long action
• If used together, ‘while’ – to show something was
happening at the time of speaking.
• He shouted at me while I was walking.
• While she was folding the papers, she cut her finger.
• The cat jumped on the car while they were washing it.
• While we were watching a horror movie, the doorbell
rang.
• The doorbell rang while we were watching a horror
movie.
• She fell while her husband was holding their baby.
• While her husband was holding their baby, she fell.
• Now you try to give one example and let teacher check!

4. Someone grabbed my phone while I was talking to my mum.
While I was talking to my mum, someone grabbed my phone.
I was talking to my mum when someone grabbed my phone.
When someone grabbed my phone, I was talking to my mum.

5. I cut my finger while I was peeling the carrot.
While I was peeling the carrot, I cut my finger.
I was peeling the carrot when I cut my finger.
When I cut my finger, I was peeling the carrot.

6. He hit the pedestrian while he was driving the car.
While he was driving the car, he hit the pedestrian.
He was driving the car when he hit the pedestrian.
When he hit the pedestrian, he was driving the car.

7. She fell while she was skating.
While she was skating, she fell.
She was skating when she fell.
When she fell, she was skating.

8. However, sometimes…
• There might situations where
• Long action + long action
• Short action + short action

9. long action + long action
• The baby was sleeping while the mother was
cooking.
• The mother was cooking while the baby was
sleeping.
• I was driving while my mum was talking to me.
• My mum was talking to me while I was driving.
• While he was explaining to me, I was not
paying attention.
• now you try!

10. Short action + short action
• I went into the shop when I spotted him.
• I spotted him when I went into the shop.
• He looked at me when I tried to copy his answers.
• I tried to copy his answers when he looked at me.
• I fell on the ground when he laughed at me.
• now you try!