Past Simple vs. Past Continuous

English 17 Public

Complete the sentences with the correct form of the verb: Use past simple or past continuous.

Study Slideshow

While Tom __________ (read) , Amely __________ (watch) a documentary on TV.

While Tom was reading, Amely was watching a documentary on TV.

Marvin __________ (come) home, __________ (switch) on the computer and __________ (check) his emails.

Marvin came (come) home, switched (switch) on the computer and checked (check) his emails.

The thief __________ (sneak) into the house, __________ (steal) the jewels and __________ (leave) without a trace.

The thief sneaked (sneak) into the house, stole (steal) the jewels and left (leave) without a trace.

Nobody __________ (listen) while the teacher __________ (explain) the tenses.

Nobody was listening (listen) while the teacher was explaining (explain) the tenses.

While we __________ (do) a sight-seeing tour, our friends __________ (lie) on the beach.

While we were doing (do) a sight-seeing tour, our friends were lying (lie) on the beach.

He __________ (wake) up and __________ (look) at his watch.

He woke (wake) up and looked (look) at his watch.

We __________ (wait) for Jane, when suddenly Louis __________ (come) around the corner.

We were waiting (wait) for Jane, when suddenly Louis came (come) around the corner.

I __________ (cycle) through the park, when I __________ (hear) a strange noise.

I was cycling (cycle) through the park, when I heard (hear) a strange noise.

He __________ (pass) her a message when the teacher __________ (look / not).

He passed (pass) her a message when the teacher wasn't looking (look / not).

I __________ (fall) asleep while I __________ (watch) TV last night.

I fell (fall) asleep while I was watching (watch) TV last night.

When Mike and Jane __________ (paint) the walls, their dog __________ (knock) over the paint pot.

When Mike and Jane painted (paint) the walls, their dog knocked (knock) over the paint pot.

Tom __________ (break) his leg when he __________ (play) frisbee.

Tom broke (break) his leg when he was playing (play) frisbee.

The phone __________ (ring) when I __________ (sit) on the toilet.

The phone rang (ring) when I was sitting (sit) on the toilet.

When I __________ (get) up yesterday, the sun __________ (shine) .

When I got (get) up yesterday, the sun was shining (shine) .

After one hour of cycling in sunshine, a big fat raincloud suddenly __________ (appear) and it __________ (start) to rain.

After one hour of cycling in sunshine, a big fat raincloud suddenly appeared (appear) and it started (start) to rain.

One man __________ (mow) the grass while his wife __________ (pick) strawberries.

One man was mowing (mow) the grass while his wife was picking (pick) strawberries.

I __________ (thank) the farmer for his hospitality and __________ (move) on.

I thanked (thank) the farmer for his hospitality and moved (move) on.