past+simple+vs+past+continuous

Click here to see how to form the past simple Click here to see how to form the past continuous

The past simple is used to express a finished action in the past. The past continuous is used to express an action in progress at a specific time in the past. If we want to say that something was in progress when something different happened, we need both the past simple and the past continuous:
 * USES **
 * the past simple will be the action that interrupts or occurs in the middle of the action in progress.
 * the past continuous will be the action that was in progress when something happened.

For instance: // I was playing football when I broke my leg. // (= estaba jugando al fútbol cuando me rompí la pierna).
 * // was playing: // (past continous of 'play') the action that was in progress
 * // broke: // (past simple of 'break') the action that interrupted the action in progress.

Another example: // The phone rang while I was having a shower. // (= el teléfono sonó mientras me estaba dando una ducha)
 * // rang: // (past simple of 'ring') the action that interrupted the action in progress
 * // was having: // (past continuous of 'have') the action that was in progress

After //**while**//, we would use the **past continuous**
 * TIP **

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**useful links**
[|ego4u.com] [|montse morales website]