Past simple and past continuous

Past simple:

In this course I’m going to explain to you when we can use the past simple & past continous with some examples.

1- past simple:

we use the past simple tense when we want to refer to an action or event which is finished and:

a- took place at a specific time and place in the past. For example:

Judy went to spain in 1999.

b- took place over a specific period in the past. For example:

she lied in spain between 1999 and 2002.

c- was habitual during a specific period in the past. For example:

When judy lived in spain, she ate dinner at about 10p.m

Note:

A past time reference must either be given or understood from the context.

Past continous:

we use the past continous to indicate:

a- a continous eent in the past which may or may not be unfinished

sam was working for his uncle when i knew him.

b- a temporary event in the past which was in progress before another eent took place.

I’ll always remember what i was doing when i heard the dreadful news.

c- an event which started before another event in the past and continued.

When Neil and Cathy eventually turned up, all the other guests were already eating their dessert.