Past simple vs. past continuous
PAST CONTINUOUS
– It was raining, so we didn't go on the trip.
– What were you doing at four o'clock?
Use the verb TO BE in the past and add "-ing” to the active verb:
do homework >>> I was doing homework
NEGATIVE – just add NOT
I wasn't doing homework
QUESTION – invert the verb and the subject
Were you doing your homework?
PAST CONTINUOUS vs. PAST SIMPLE
- past simple describes a fact (a thing which just happened)
• Jim read an interesting book yesterday.
• I came to work at 7 o'clock.
- past continuous describes an activity (a thing which was at some time in the process)
• Jim was reading a book when I called him.
• When I came, they were watching TV.
YOU CAN'T make past continuous with the state verbs, such as know, believe, see, hear, etc.
• I saw him there. (NOT "I was seeing him there.”)
• I knew him for twenty years. (NOT "I was knowing him.”)