Lesson 17: Unit 76 - Past Continuous. Past Simple

About this lesson

In this lesson you will learn the difference between the Past Continuous and the Past Simple in English. You will understand how the Past Continuous describes actions that were in progress at a particular moment in the past, while the Past Simple expresses completed actions and a sequence of events. You will practise the linking words when and while and how they determine the choice of tense. Through dialogues and real-life stories you will master the formation and correct use of the two tenses in a natural context.

40 minutes

What you'll learn

• Recognise and use the Past Simple for completed actions and a sequence of events
• Recognise and use the Past Continuous for actions in progress at a particular moment in the past
• Link two actions correctly with when and while
• Tell when a verb fits better in one tense or the other according to meaning
• Build sentences and short stories mixing the two tenses

Lesson vocabulary

• celebrated Last night a friend of mine celebrated his birthday.
• arrived When I arrived I saw that his flat was full of guests.
• greeted I greeted him and gave him a bottle of French wine.
• gave I gave him a bottle of French wine.
• entered I entered the sitting room.
• were sitting Most people were sitting round a big table drinking cocktails.
• were jogging They were jogging round the park.
• was sleeping It was 3 o'clock and Bob was sleeping.
• woke up Suddenly there was a crash and he woke up.
• were arguing The people next door were arguing.
• threw One of them threw a plate across the room.
• screamed The other one screamed and then it was quiet.
• was standing I was standing at the corner of the street.
• was crossing She was just crossing the street when the car turned.
• was playing Someone was playing beautiful music on the piano.

All lessons in this level

In other languages: Български