Past Simple
We can use the Past Simple to:
- Describe a finished action in the definite past.
- I didn't sleep well last night.
- Shakespeare wrote Romeo and Juliet.
(this is definite past as we are discussing the time when Shakespeare was alive)
- Describe the order of a series of events.
- I opened my laptop and turned it on.
- He heard a noise from downstairs, so he got up, put on some clothes, and checked the kitchen.
- Describe a past state or habit.
- When I was a child, I lived in Italy for two years because of my mother’s work.
- Everyday, she made my breakfast and took me to school.
- "used to" is also commonly used in English to describe past habits.
- My father used to smoke, but he quit five years ago.
- I never used to care much about Internet safety until my Facebook got hacked.
Past Continuous
Past Continuous can be used to:
- Describe an activity in progress before and probably after a point in time.
- When the fire alarm went off, we were cooking dinner.
- At 3am, I was, of course, sleeping.
- I came to school at 9am, but the door was closed, and the class was studying.
- Describe an ongoing action that presents a background or setting to past events.
- I was sitting in my car and listening to music. Suddenly, a man knocked on my window.
- It was such a beautiful day. The birds were singing, and the people on the streets were walking to work.
- To describe a temporary situation or incomplete activity.
- In the spring, I was sleeping on my friend's sofa because I didn't have an apartment.
- He was taking a one day class on kitchen safety.
- On the flight home, I was watching a movie. (But I didn't see it all)
- On the flight home, I watched a movie. (I finished it)
- To describe an interrupted activity.
- The students were taking a test when someone knocked on the door.
- I was taking a shower when you called.
- When the earthquake hit, most people were driving to work.
- To describe two past activities that happened at the same time, or one activity that was in progress for a complete period of time.
- In the summer, I was working for my uncle’s landscaping company.
- She was wearing that shirt all day yesterday.
- I was sleeping, but he was studying.
- The police believe he was driving and texting at the time of the crash.