Past simple vs past continuous language on schools. This worksheet comprises the common mistakes my students do during the years of my teaching. Complete the following sentences with the correct verb forms. After you have interviewed a classmate or the teacher with the questions above, write a short paragraph reporting what you learned from them. Learn the difference between the simple past and the past progressive in english grammar online with lingolia. Live worksheets english english as a second language esl present simple and present continuous the past simple tense vs the past continuous progressive tense the past simple tense vs the past continuous progressive tense. Past simple and past continuous english esl worksheets. It was eight oclock and after that i couldnt even finish my homework. Complete list of past continuous forms use 1 interrupted action in the past use the past continuous to indicate that a longer action in the past was interrupted.
Past simple vs past continuous error correction photocopiables. When the teacher came in, they were studying english. Past tenses simple or progressive continuous free english online exercise. Use simple past to focus on the completion of an action. In the free exercises, you can practise these tenses. The past progressive can be tricky for students to grasp since its not commonly used in english. Past progressive, past continuous, past simple, verb tenses. We use the past progressive to say what was happening at a particular moment in the past. Past simple or past continuous worksheet 1 grammarbank.
Simple past or past progressive, online exercise learning english. These lessons include mixed exercises that compare the past perfect and the past perfect progressive tenses as well as the past perfect with the simple past and present perfect. Simple past or past continuous a dialog fill in the blanks with the simple past or past continuous form of the verbs. While i was doing my homework, my cousin visited us. Golan open the door, her children do their homework and her husband read the newspaper. A collection of english esl past simple vs continuous tense worksheets for home learning, online practice, distance learning and english classes to teach about.
Use the helping verb was before a verb in the past progressive tense when used to. We use the past progressive to set the scene and emphasise the process or duration of a past action. Lets look at some sentences with verbs in the past form past simple and present form present simple to better understand the meaning the past form adds and why speakers choose to use it. Past simple and past continuous inspiration macmillan. Then click on the answer button to see the correct answers. This is important so that students learn when to use the simple past vs. Simple past or past progressive english tense comparison. Last night i was reading in bed when i suddenly heard a scream. Dan explains about using past progressive to show one action in progress when another action occurs. While i cycle past some villages, i see some people in their gardens. Remember this can be a real interruption or just an interruption in time. Practice the past progressive or past continuous and past simple tenses, using this esl grammar interactive monkey fun game activity for preintermediate was working, was driving, was walking, etc.
The past progressive describes actions or events in a time before now, which began in the past and is still going on at the time of speaking in other words, it expresses an unfinished or incomplete action in the past uses of the past progressive. Although they are both past tenses their uses are quite different. Remember sometimes the continuous tenses are called the progressive tenses. The interruption is usually a shorter action in the simple past. Both actions took place simultaneously over a longer period of time past progressive. Past simple and past continuous cambridge university press. This sentence monkey activity is great for this type of grammar practice.
We were playing volleyball with mary when you called me. For more tips, examples, and practice exercises, try the past perfect and the past perfect progressive lessons in the grammar practice worksheets section. The paast tense past progressive there are three aspects of the past tense. The past progressive indicates a limited duration of time and is thus a convenient way to indicate that something took place while something else was happening. Aug 02, 20 the past progressive can be tricky for students to grasp since its not commonly used in english. Esl quiz simple past or past continuous a dialog vera. Exercise on simple past and past progressive ex08 ex08. The simple past is a very common verb tense that is learned early on by english language learners. She came home, switched on the computer and checked her emails. We use the simple past to express completed, sequential actions. They are typical mistakes that students do in past simple and past continuous tenses. Pdf present simple vs present continuous past simple. During a longerlasting action, something new took place1st space. Put the verbs into the correct tense simple past or past progressive.
We use the past progressive to talk about actions were in progress at special time in the past. The past progressive also known as the past continuous, on the other hand, can be tricky for students to learn because it is not commonly used in english. Decide if you need to use the simple past or the past progressive while steve watch football on tv, monica listen to the radio. I to take took a shower, then i to get dressed got dressed and to leave left. The man was reading the newspaper when the thief snatched his briefcase. English esl past simple vs continuous tense worksheets most. Live worksheets english english as a second language esl past simple and past continuous past simple and past continuous past simple and past continuous past simple vs. Simon was playing on the computer while his brother was watching tv. Simple past past progressive contrasted we sat was sitting were sitting at the breakfast table when the doorbell rang was ringing were ringing. English esl past simple vs continuous tense worksheets. The train was waiting when we arrived at the station.
May 08, 2014 dan explains about using past progressive to show one action in progress when another action occurs. Use your imagination to answer the questions in the simple past. What characteristics and interests did elyse and paula have in common. This is a worksheet i prepared last year for my elementary students as an introduction of these tenses. We use the simple past as the narrative form of the past to express completed, sequential actions. The simple past and the past continuous are two tenses commonly used to make general statements about the past. Use when and the simple past for the action that interrupts. Lets look at some sentences with verbs in the past form past simple and present form present simple to better understand the meaning the past form adds and why speakers choose to. Teachers also might say the past simple or the simple past, these are just different names. Read each situation below and answer the following questions. Use thepast simple and past continuous verb tenses as much as possible. Past progressive, past continuous, past simple, verb. The past continuous describes an action that was already in progress. Present simple vs present continuous past simple presentation o.
Both actions took place simultaneously over a longer period of time past progressive when i walk down fifth avenue, i discover a wonderful boutique. Present simple vs past simple ed when do people use the past form. Worksheet 2 past simple and past continuous 1 complete the sentences with the correct past simple or past continuous form of the verbs in brackets. When mary saw the question, she had known the answer. I to eat was eating cornflakes while dad to read was reading the newspaper. Live worksheets english english as a second language esl past simple and past continuous past simple and past continuous past simple and past continuous past simple vs past continuous using when. The simple past and the past progressive, also past continuous, are used to express actions in the past. George fell off the ladder while he was painting the ceiling. The simple past tense is only used to say that something happened at some time in the past. Past simple past continuous past perfect simple answers a 1.
Past simple or past continuous worksheet 1 answers. Download this free pdf english lesson with exercises. As i was walking in the streets of holland, i met an old friend of mine. Past simple or past continuous worksheet 2 grammarbank. Past simple or past continuous worksheet 2 complete the sentences with the words in parentheses using the simple past or the past progressive. Past simple vs past continuous worksheet 1 grammarbank. The past simple tense vs the past continuous progressive. Past simple and past continuous english esl worksheets for. Aug 19, 2012 practice the past progressive or past continuous and past simple tenses, using this esl grammar interactive monkey fun game activity for preintermediate was working, was driving, was walking, etc. Finally, click here to download this exercise in pdf with answers. Practice using the simple past tense by completing the. In my experience, presenting this verb tense using the diagram and chart seen here helps students grasp it more quickly. He met was meeting were meeting a lot of friendly people while he worked was working were working in california.