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Simple Past Vs Past Continuous

The document compares and contrasts the simple past and past continuous verb tenses. The simple past is used to describe completed actions that occurred at specific times in the past, such as "yesterday" or "last night." The past continuous describes actions that were ongoing or in progress during a period of time in the past, and uses "was/were + verb+ing" construction. It is useful for setting the scene or explaining reasons for past events. Examples and exercises are provided to illustrate the proper uses of each tense.

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rosalba bryan
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29 views17 pages

Simple Past Vs Past Continuous

The document compares and contrasts the simple past and past continuous verb tenses. The simple past is used to describe completed actions that occurred at specific times in the past, such as "yesterday" or "last night." The past continuous describes actions that were ongoing or in progress during a period of time in the past, and uses "was/were + verb+ing" construction. It is useful for setting the scene or explaining reasons for past events. Examples and exercises are provided to illustrate the proper uses of each tense.

Uploaded by

rosalba bryan
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
Available Formats
Download as PPTX, PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd
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Answer these questions.

What is the
difference between these questions?

 What did you do yesterday?

 What were you doing last night


at 7:00 pm?
Verb Tenses Show the Time of Action or State.

I am in English class.
Simple Past vs. Past Continuous

Past Continuous Simple Past


Use the simple past if:

1. The action occurred in the past and


does not include the present.

2. The action is completed.

3. The action happened at a specific past time.


Time expressions: yesterday, last night
two days ago, 2010, etc.
Simple Past - Sentence structure
Completed actions in the past

Affirmative
SUBJECT
sentences
MAIN VERB/Simple  REST OF SENTENCE
past form V2
I worked /t/ all day.
I studied English.
I wrote a letter.
Negative sentences
SUBJECT  AUXILIARY VERB MAIN VERB/ REST OF SENTENCE
DID/ NOT (didn’t) Simple present
form

She didn’t (did not) watch TV last


night.
Interrogative sentences
QUESTION AUXILIARY VERB  SUBJECT  MAIN VERB REST OF
WORD (DID) /Simple present SENTENCE
form

Did you study English yerteday?


Yes, I did. No, I did not.
What did you do yesterday?
Formative assignment.
Past Continuous
Past Continuous - Sentence structure

Affirmative sentences
SUBJECT VERB BE (past) MAIN VERB/ING  REST OF SENTENCE

Carlos was reading the newspaper.


I was listening to teacher Rosalba.
Negative sentences
SUBJECT  VERB BE / NOT MAIN VERB/ING REST OF SENTENCE

I was not paying attention to teacher Rosalba.

Interrogative sentences
QUESTION VERB BE  SUBJECT  MAIN VERB/ING REST OF
WORD SENTENCE
What were you doing during your
last English
class with
The past continuous is useful for setting
The past simple is great for describing the the scene and describing the background,
main events in a story. so it's great for giving reasons, and
explaining why things happened.
Formative assignment.
Past continuous:
Past simple:
Subject + BE in the past
(was/were) + Main verb/ing + Subject + V2 (past simple
Rest of sentence. of main verb) + Rest of
sentence.

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