PAST SIMPLE VS PAST CONTINUOUS

PAST SIMPLE

We use the past simple for an action which started and finished in the past, often with a time expression.

EG: I lived there for six months (= I no longer live there)


PAST CONTINUOUS

We use the past continuous for an action that was already happening at a particular time in the past.

EG: It was raining when we left the building


PAST SIMPLE OR PAST CONTINUOUS?

When one action "interrupts" another, we use the past continuous for the longer action and the past simple for the shorter "interrupting" action.

EG. He was going out to lunch when I saw him

Now do the following online activity:

SIMPLE PAST VS PAST CONTINUOUS