Unit 24: The Simple Past and Past Continuous Tenses

Can-Do Statement

After this unit, you will be able to understand and use everyday English to talk about the past. You will know how to describe events that happened in the past and actions that were happening at a specific time.

Target Grammar

The Simple Past Tense

The simple past is used to talk about actions that started and finished in the past.

  • Form: verb + -ed (for regular verbs) / irregular forms
  • Example: I watched TV yesterday.

Key time expressions: yesterday, last night, two days ago, in 2000.

The Past Continuous Tense

The past continuous is used to describe actions that were happening at a specific time in the past.

  • Form: was/were + verb + -ing
  • Example: I was watching TV at 8 p.m. yesterday.

We often use it to show that one action was happening when another action interrupted it.

Examples with Pictures

Past Continuous Example
A young woman is sitting on a sofa in her living room at night, watching TV. Outside the window, it is dark. She looks relaxed and focused on the show.

Example 1 (Simple Past): I watched a movie last night.

Example 2 (Past Continuous): I was watching a movie at 9 p.m.

Example 3 (Both tenses together): I was watching a movie when my friend called.

Summary Tips

  • Use simple past for completed actions in the past.
  • Use past continuous for actions in progress at a specific time.
  • Use past continuous + simple past to show that one action interrupted another.