PAST SIMPLE : FORMPAST SIMPLE : FORM

Affirmative: Regular verbs: S + V+ed

Irregular verbs: S + V (2nd column of the list)

Example: Office workers looked out of the window.

Example: He made a quick decision.

Negative: S + didn't + V.

Example: She didn't speak to Julia.

Interrogative: Did + S + V ?Yes, S + did.

No, S + didn't.

Example: Did you lose your keys?Yes, I did.

No, I didn't.

PAST CONTINUOUS : FORMPAST CONTINUOUS : FORM

Affirmative: S + was / were + V+ing

Example: They were doing their homework.

Negative: S + wasn't / weren't + V+ing

Example: Tom wasn't talking on the phone.

Interrogative: Was / Were + S + V+ingYes, S + was / were

No, S + wasn't / weren't

Example: Were you doing an exam?Yes, we were.

No, we weren't.

PAST SIMPLE and PAST CONTINUOUS (USE)PAST SIMPLE and PAST CONTINUOUS (USE)

6 o'clock p.m. 8 o'clock p.m.

I was doing my homework when the telephone rang.

Past Continuous: longer action.

Past Simple: shorter action.

While I was doing my homework, the telephone rang.

We use when before past simple.

We use while before past continuous.

7 o'clock p.m.