Past simple and past continuous

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PAST SIMPLE VS PAST CONTINUOUS

PAST CONTINUOUS

Interrumped actions, specific time as an interruption actions and parallel actions.I was watching TV when the phone rang

PAST SIMPLE

We use the past simple to talk about complete actions, habits and facts in the past. I went to the cinema yesterday

1. When we talk about the past, we use past simple for actions that happened at one particular time. We use past continuous for background actions.

When Alex arrived, I was having dinnerHe was running very fast and he didn't see the treeSorry, what did you say? I wasn't listening

We often use when with the past simple, and while with the past continuous.

I was reading when the phone rangWhen my parents arrived, we were having a partyI went into the classroom while the teacher was talkingWhile my father was running, he fell into a river