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1.2.2 The differences between Past Continuous Tense

and Simple Past Tense.

The differences between these two tenses are on the choice of
emphasis. Often there is little difference between the past

continuous and the past simple, except that the past continuous

suggests that the event(s) were in progress at a time in the past
or that they were happening as background or temporary

events. Whether we choose to use the past continuous or past

simple often depends on how we see the past event(s).

E.g. Past Continuous = I was working

Simple Past Tense = I worked

Past Continuous Tense Simple Past Tense

The turtles were swimming to The turtles swam to find new
find new home. They were home. They tried their best to
trying their best to survive in a survive in a difficult situation.
difficult situation.

writer chooses to show the
writer chooses to show the events as finished.
events as ongoing at that time

in the past.

Another difference is to show the event is in progress in the
past. We use the past continuous to talk about events and

temporary states that were in progress around a certain time in

the past. We use the past simple to talk about events, states or
habits at definite times in the past.

Let’s see the comparison in the box below.

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