Exercise - Simple Past or Past Progressive 1

Yesterday I got up early in the morning, took a shower and walked to the bus station.

We use the simple past when one action in the past follows another.

This time last week I was lying on the beach.

An unfinished action taking place at or around a time in the past → past progressive

We were waiting at the bus stop when a car crashed into the supermarket.

A prolonged action – in the past progressive tense – (were waiting), which is interrupted by a shorter event – in the simple past tense – (crashed into).

The First World War ended in 1918.

An action completed in the past → simple past

I took an umbrella with me because it was raining.

A prolonged, unfinished action in the past → past progressive

Pete was watching TV when somebody knocked on the door.

A prolonged action – in the past progressive tense – (were watching), which is interrupted by a shorter event – in the simple past tense – (knocked).

Ann fell asleep while she was doing her homework.

A prolonged action – in the past progressive tense – (was doing), which is interrupted by a shorter event – in the simple past tense – (fell asleep).

Mum was reading a magazine while Dad was watching TV.

We usually use the past progressive when two unfinished actions in the past are taking place at the same time.

First, we played football. Then we went to the shopping centre and bought some sweets.

We use the simple past when one action in the past follows another.

I was taking a walk in the forest yesterday around 4pm.

An unfinished action taking place at or around a time in the past → past progressive

My parents first met while they were living in London.

A prolonged action – in the past progressive tense – (were living), which is interrupted by a shorter event – in the simple past tense – (met).