To talk about two simultaneous short actions we use simple tenses. To talk about a longer background action which was going on when something else happened, we use the past continuous tense. We usually use the past simple tense to refer to the shorter action that interrupted the longer background action.
Complete the following sentences using an appropriate past simple or past continuous tense.
1When I ............... to work, I saw Peter.
Wrong!
Use "was driving" for the action in progress when Peter appeared.
2While I was having a bath, the telephone ...............
Wrong!
Use "rang" for the short action that interrupted the bath.
3I ............... when someone knocked on the door.
Wrong!
Use "was sleeping" for the action in progress when someone knocked.
4While she was playing games, I ...............
Wrong!
Use "was working" for another action in progress at the same time.
5As I opened my eyes, I ............... a strange sight.
Wrong!
Use "saw" for a completed past action after opening your eyes.
6James ............... a plate while I was cooking supper.
Wrong!
Use "dropped" for the short completed action during the longer action.
7While they were playing cards, somebody ............... into the house.
Wrong!
Use "broke" for the completed action that happened during the game.
8I thought of it just when you ............... your mouth.
Wrong!
Use "opened" for the completed past action at that moment.
9While she was having a bath, the child ............... to cry.
Wrong!
Use "began" for the short action that happened during the bath.
10She took out her pen and ............... writing.
Wrong!
Use "started" for the next completed action in the past sequence.
Exercise complete
0 out of 10
correct answers
Answers
- When I was driving to work, I saw Peter.
- While I was having a bath, the telephone rang.
- I was sleeping when someone knocked on the door.
- While she was playing games, I was working.
- As I opened my eyes, I saw a strange sight.
- James dropped a plate while I was cooking supper.
- While they were playing cards, somebody broke into the house.
- I thought of it just when you opened your mouth.
- While she was having a bath, the child began to cry.
- She took out her pen and started writing.