Ls 9. Past Tense vs. Past Continuous Tense

Lesson 9. Past Tense vs. Past Continuous Tense

Past tense: I went to word yesterday Past tense negative: I didn't go to work on Sunday.

Past continuous tense: I was eating my breakfast when the phone rang Past continuous negative: I wasn't eating anything when the phone rang

The past continuous tense is often used when talking about on e or more past actions that happen at the same time

Here are some examples: While I was sleeping, someone broke into my car and stole it. Sarah's phone rang just as she was walking into the classroom John was sitting at his desk when he suddenly noticed there was a dead mouse on the floor

Examples: What was the boy doing at the park? He was making sand castles. This boy made sand castles while he was playing in the sand

The past tense is an alter native to the past continuous tense:

I was drinking coffee while i was working on my computer sound better than... I drank my coffee when I worked on my computer ... because there's some activity.

You were taking English classes when you visited the United States. or You took English classes when you visited the United States. (Both verb tenses are okay)

He was talking on his cell phone while he was walking to work or While he was walking to work, he was talking on his cell phone. (Many sentences that use "while" are continuous) Past tense: He talked on the phone an hour ago

She was talking on the phone while she was drinking coffee. or She was talking on the phone while drinking coffee (Notice "she" is missing form the second sentence. That's okay)

It was snowing when this man went out to shovel his driveway. ("It" refer to the weather)

We were standing in my classroom when this picture was taken

("was taken" is passive voice-not continuous. Notice the difference?)

You were riding on the bus

They were riding their bikes through downtown Minnesapolis