Past Simple

Mrs. Anabel Montes - English teacher

Past simple or continuous?• Sometimes both tenses are

possible. The Past Simple focuses on past actions as complete facts. The Past Continuous focuses on the duration of past activities.

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What´s the difference? • The Past Simple focuses on past

actions as complete facts. The Past Continuous focuses on the duration of past activities.

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Example:• He was fixing

the car.

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• He fixed the car.

• Past C.

• Past S.

Example:• He was

answering the phone.

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• He answered the phone.

• Past C.

• Past S.

Example:• He was

drinking coffee.

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• He drank coffee.

• Past C.

• Past S.

Compare :• A: I didn’t see you at the party last

night.• B: No. I stayed at home and watched

the football.• A: I didn’t see you at the party last

night.• B: No, I was watching the football at

home.

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EXERCISESI) Which sentence is the correct one? 1) a) The men were studying on the new proyect all day yesterday b) The men was studying on the new proyect all day yesterday c) The men studied on the new proyect all day yesterday

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2) a) When were you finishing your project?b) When did you finish your project?c) When were you finish your project?

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3) a) You didn't be in the party yesterdayb) you didn't were in the party yesterdayc) You weren't in the party yesterday

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4) a) My sister watched TV while his husband was playing with the childrenb) My sister was watching TV while his husband was playing with the children c) My sister was watching TV while his husband played with the children

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5) a) The students were talking when the teacher was arrivingb) The students talked when the teacher was arrivingc) The students were talking when the teacher arrived