Past simple and past continuous

Combine a longer background activity with a shorter completed event to tell clear past stories.

When do we use it?

Use the past continuous for background and the past simple for an interrupting event.

Form

Use past continuous + when + past simple; while often introduces the longer action.

• I was cooking when she arrived.
• While we were walking, it started to rain.

Key contrast

Read the whole context and identify the time, meaning, noun type or sentence structure before choosing.

Common mistakes

• I cooked when she was arriving. → I was cooking when she arrived.
• While he called, I slept. → When he called, I was sleeping.

Remember

Combine a longer background activity with a shorter completed event to tell clear past stories.

Quick check

• Find the grammar clue.
• Check the subject and verb form.
• Confirm that the answer fits both structure and meaning.