Simple past vs past continuous Exercises pdf printable

a Circle the correct words. Choose the past simple or the past continuous tense.

b Complete the sentences with the Past Simple or the Past Continuous form of the verbs in brackets.

This worksheet is about practicing the difference between the past and the past continuous tenses. Students read, choose and complete the sentences. The worksheet has an answer key.

• Download This English worksheet: “Simple past vs past continuous Exercises pdf printable”

Let’s explore the Simple Past and Past Continuous tenses. Study the explanations, examples, and tables to help you understand these concepts effectively.

Simple Past Tense

The simple past tense describes actions that occurred at a specific point in the past. It emphasizes that an action was completed and not ongoing. Regular past simple verbs end in “-ed” (e.g., called, played, arrived), while irregular verbs have unique forms (e.g., wake → woke, break → broke, feel → felt).

Structure:

Usage:

1. Completed Actions:
   • Use the past simple to describe actions that happened and ended in the past.
     • Example: “Sam played basketball when he was at university.”
   • Form the negative with “didn’t” + infinitive verb.
     • Example (Negative): “I didn’t wake up early this morning.”
   • Form questions with “did” + subject + infinitive verb.
     • Example (Question): “Did you wake up early this morning?”

Past Continuous Tense

The past continuous tense shows us that an action was already in progress at a certain time in the past. It emphasizes ongoing activities. We form it using “was” or “were” + the “-ing” form of the verb.

Structure:

Usage:

1. Ongoing Actions in the Past:
   • Use the past continuous tense to describe actions that were ongoing at a specific past moment.
     • Example: “While I was studying, my friends were playing.”
   • Note: The action was in progress and not yet completed.
2. Interrupted Actions:
   • When an action in the past was interrupted by another action, use the past continuous tense.
     • Example: “I broke my leg when I was skiing.”
   • Note: The interruption is often indicated by conjunctions like “while,” “when,” or “as.”
3. Background Setting:
   • Set the background for a story or describe the context using the past continuous tense.
     • Example: “Three years ago, we were living in my hometown.”
   • Note: It provides context for other events.

Examples:

1. Ongoing Actions:
   • “They were laughing loudly during the movie.”
   • “We were walking in the park when we saw a deer.”
   • “While Isabel was having a rest, she heard a strange noise.”
2. Interrupted Actions:
   • “While he was playing football, he broke his leg.”
   • “I fell down while I was riding my bike.”
   • “She closed her eyes while the man was standing on the rope.”
3. Background Setting:
   • “The team was playing well until the second half.”
   • “The kids were still playing at 6 p.m.”

Real-Life Application:

You can use the simple past and past continuous tenses in your daily life:

• Describing completed experiences: “I called my friend yesterday.”
• Expressing ongoing activities: “I was studying for my exam last night.”
• Narrating events with context: “While I was cooking dinner, the power went off.”

Remember, understanding the context and purpose of each tense helps you use them effectively! 📚🌟

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