Past Simple vs Past Continuous worksheet

1. 1.
   I TV when the lights went out.a) watchedb) was watching
2. 2.
   She the door, picked up her keys and left.a) openedb) was opening
3. 3.
   At midnight we .a) were still workingb) still worked
4. 4.
   While he was jogging, he an old friend.a) was meetingb) met
5. 5.
   I my phone while I was running.a) droppedb) was dropping

1. 1.
   While I was driving, the phone was ringing.
2. 2.
   I was seeing him at the station yesterday.
3. 3.
   They was watching TV.

Write two sentences about your own life: one with Past Simple and one with Past Continuous. Then explain the difference to a partner.

1. 1.b) was watching The TV watching was in progress when the lights went out.
2. 2.a) opened A sequence of complete actions takes the Past Simple.
3. 3.a) were still working At midnight the work was in progress.
4. 4.b) met Meeting the friend is the short, complete action.
5. 5.a) dropped Dropping is a single moment during the run.

1. 1.While I was driving, the phone rang. The ringing is the short action that happened during the drive, so it takes the Past Simple.
2. 2.I saw him at the station yesterday. Seeing someone is a single, complete moment here.
3. 3.They were watching TV. Use were with you, we and they.

Answers will vary. Check that each sentence follows the rule on page 1, or paste them into Clarigram to have them checked.