http://www.youtube.com/watch?

v=aq3lssDexA8

PAST CONTINUOUS VS. SIMPLE PAST

Past continuous vs simple past

Interrupted Action in the Past Use the Past Continuous to indicate that a longer action in the past Was interrupted. The interruption is usually a shorter action in the Simple Past. Remember this can be a real interruption or just an interruption in time. I was watching TV when she called. When the phone rang, she was writing a letter. While we were having the picnic, it started to rain. What were you doing when the earthquake started? You were not listening to me when I told you to turn the oven off. A: What were you doing when you broke your leg? B: I was snowboarding.

While vs When

Clauses are groups of words which have meaning, but are often not complete sentences. Some clauses begin with the word "when" such as "when she called" or "when it bit m. Other clauses begin with "while" such as "while she was sleeping" and "while he was surfing." When you talk about things in the past, "when" is most often followed by the verb tense Simple Past, whereas "while" is usually followed by Past Continuous. "While" expresses the idea of "during that time." Study the examples below. They have similar meanings, but they emphasize different parts of the sentence.

We were studying when the bell rang.

I was watching a really good movie, but I fell asleep before the end. I was working at a boring job when someone offered me a much better one. While I was shopping one day, a celebrity walked into the store. I was traveling in another country when I met an old school friend. While I was waiting in line, a TV reporter asked to interview me for the news! I was getting off a bus when I slipped and fell in some mud.

While I was walking down the street, I found a wallet full of money.

 Use the past continuous for an action in progress in the past. Use the simple past for a completed action. I was watching a good movie, but I fell asleep before the end. I was working at a boring job when someone offered me a much better one. While I was shopping one day, a celebrity walked into the store. While we were walking one

I.

Exercise

1) My brother was snowboarding (snowboard) when he was breaking(break) his leg in several places. 2) Several years ago, I had (have) problems with math, so I was find (find) a tutor to help me. 3) The couple had (have) their first child when they were living (live) in a tiny apartment. 4) While I was driving (drive) in Ireland a few years ago, I was realize (realize) I was on the wrong side of the road! 5) Ulrike was reading (read) a good book, but someone talling (tell) her the ending. 6) While my mother cooking (cook) dinner last night, the phone was ringing (ring) 3 times and then stoping (stop). 7) Tracy and Eric were met (meet) when they was working (work) at the same restaurant in Vancouver.

II.

Complete the paragraphs. Use the simple past, past continuous , or the past perfect

1. At their wedding, the bride and groom getting (get) into a terrible argument. The brides father was just moved (move) aside when the groom steped (step) on the

brides beautiful dress! As the cameraman videotapeging (videotape) the ceremony, he was catched (catch) their argument on tape. 2. While I was playing (play) tennis yesterday afternoon, I realized that I forget (forgot) something. What a predicament I was been (be) in! I couldnt call my wife to say I would be late for dinner because I wasnt putting (not put) my cell phone in my tennis bag. She was pretty hungry when I got home.

III.

Watch the video and check true or false. Correct the false statements.