PAST SIMPLE AND PAST CONTINUOUS

1. PAST SIMPLE AND PAST CONTINUOUS

• I was sleeping when you arrived.

1st. I was sleeping (long action)

2nd. You arrived (short action)

–---------------------------------------> One action interrupts the other.

• You arrived while I was sleeping. = While I was sleeping, you arrived.

WHILE + past continuous WHEN + past simple or past continuous

• She phoned while we were having lunch.
• When he got home, they weren't watching TV.
• What was she doing when she fell off the ladder?

2. PAST SIMPLE AND PAST SIMPLE

• When he arrived, he had dinner and he went to bed.
• I didn't watch TV when I finished my homework.

–--------------------------------------> One action happens after the other

3. PAST CONTINUOUS AND PAST CONTINUOUS

• She was studying while I was reading.
• When the teacher was speaking, you weren't listening.

–---------------------------------------> Both actions happen at the same time. No interruption.