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Past Simple vs Past Progressive (Continuous)

Past Simple vs Past Progressive (Continuous)

Intermediate

Past simple is used for actions that happened and were completed at a specific time in the past, while past progressive describes actions that were ongoing or in progress at a particular moment in the past. Now you can learn how to see the difference!

Table of Contents

1.Finished or Not

1.1In Progress vs Completed Action

Past Progressive for things happening at or around the time of speaking.The action was not complete.
Past Simple for completed actions.

Past Progressive Past Simple
We were walking home from 5 to 6 PM. (in the middle of walking home) We walked home after the party last night. (all the way, completely)
Kate was watching TV when we arrived. Kate watched TV a lot when she was ill last year.
I was doing my homework at 7 PM. (I was in process) I did my homework in the evening.(It was ready, done)
They were singing when she was sleeping. (two ongoing processes) She slept all the night. (completed action, focus on how long she slept)

Practice Examples

Use Past Simple or Past Progressive

I (write) _____ my essay for English class at 9 PM yesterday.

Use Past Simple or Past Progressive

I (write) _____ my entire essay last night.

Use Past Simple or Past Progressive

The kids (clean) _____ their room when I checked on them at 4 PM.

2.Background vs Story

2.1In the Middle of Something vs Chain of Events

Past Progressive for things that happened (past simple) in the middle of something else (past progressive).
Past Simple to say that one thing happened after another.

Past Progressive Past Simple
He phoned while we were having dinner. He phoned and we started the dinner.
It was raining when I got up. I got up and it started raining.
I saw you in the park yesterday. You were sitting on the grass and reading a book. He saw us in the park yesterday. Then we sat down and started reading our books.
I hurt my back while I was gardening. I finished gardening and hurt my back soon.

Practice Examples

Use Past Simple or Past Progressive.

The baby woke up while I (take) _____ a shower.

Use Past Simple or Past Progressive.

I (wake up) _____ ,(take) _____ a shower, and (make) _____ breakfast. Then I (leave) _____ for work.

Use Past Simple or Past Progressive.

My boss called while I (have) _____ lunch with my mother.

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