Simple Past Vs. Past Continuous

In this article we will compare the following two tenses:

Simple Past Vs. Past Continuous

Use Case 1

To talk about two or more past completed events that follow each other - We use the past simple for both.

Kindly note that the first action may or may not have caused the second.

He went out when his boss called him. (action of calling caused him to go out)

He jumped out of the moving bike and latched on to the terrorists’ car. (no causal relation between the two actions)

Use Case 2

If two past actions/events went on over the same period of time – We often use the past continuous for both.

Harry was working in a law firm when Sally was living in Bristol.

However, we can even use the past simple to express a similar meaning. So, we can rephrase the above sentence as follows:

Harry worked in a law firm while Sally lived in Bristol. or
Harry worked in a law firm while Sally was living in Bristol.

Use Case 3: New action in the middle of a longer action

If a new action happens in the middle of a longer action – We will use past continuous with simple past.

Simple past will be used for the new action (i.e. second action) and past continuous will be used for the longer action (i.e. first action).

When I saw her, she was studying a novel. (first action – was studying, in past continuous; second action – saw, in simple past)

We can also rephrase the above sentence as follows:

She was studying a novel when I saw her.

Use Case 4: Permanent or long-term situation Vs. Temporary situation

To talk about a permanent or long-term situation that existed in the past - We use the past simple (rather than the past continuous)

When I was in college, I was playing the flute. (incorrect)
When I was in college, I played the flute. (correct)

However, for temporary situations - We can also use the past continuous.

I was participating in a contest held by Microsoft in the summer of 2004. (correct)
I participated in a contest held by Microsoft in the summer of 2004. (correct)

Use Case 5: Habits and Repeated actions

Concept 1

To talk about repeated actions/events in the past - We use the past simple (rather than the past continuous)

He was visiting Germany four times last year. (incorrect)
He visited Germany four times last year. (correct)

I was going past this monster villa every day. (incorrect)
I went past this monster villa every day. (correct)

Concept 2

However, to emphasise that the repeated actions only went on for a limited/temporary period of past time – We can also use the past continuous

When Mr. White was in prison, we were visiting him thrice a month. (correct)
When Mr. White was in prison, we visited him thrice a month. (correct)