Past Continuous struggle - how do you know when to use it vs. Simple Past?

Past Continuous struggle - how do you know when to use it vs. Simple Past?

by Malind Malind -


I always get stuck deciding between Simple Past and Past Continuous when telling stories. How do you guys decide which one to use? Does anyone have a good trick to make it sound natural?

Past Continuous struggle - how do you know when to use it vs. Simple Past?

by Mille Kentk -

The best way to differentiate them is to think of the Simple Past as a completed snapshot and the Past Continuous as a movie clip. If the action was "interrupted" or was simply the background setting for another event, use the Continuous form. A great trick is to ask yourself: "Was the action still happening when something else occurred?" If yes, that's your cue. For a complete guide to help you master this, visit easyingles.com/gramatica/tiempos-verbales/127-past-continuous-usos-ejemplos.html. It offers the perfect examples to make your storytelling sound much more natural.