⏳ Grammar: Past Simple vs Past Continuous
1ère Bac Sciences Expérimentales SEx
📌 Introduction
The Past Simple and Past Continuous are used to talk about past events, but in different ways. Understanding the difference is key to clear storytelling and lab reports.
Science Tip: “In lab reports: ‘While we were heating the solution, it turned blue.'”
✅ Past Simple
When to Use
- Completed actions in the past: “We did the experiment.”
- Sequence of events: “I went to school, took notes, and wrote a report.”
- With time expressions: yesterday, last week, in 2020
Example: “The students finished the biology test at 10:30 AM.”
🔄 Past Continuous
When to Use
- Ongoing actions: “We were doing an experiment.”
- Background description: “The sun was shining.”
- Interrupted actions: “While I was studying, the light went out.”
Example: “At 9 AM yesterday, the students were analyzing water samples.”
🆚 Past Simple vs Past Continuous
While we were doing the experiment, the teacher entered.
Past Continuous = long action
Past Simple = short, interrupting action
Formula
While + Past Continuous, Past Simple
OR
Past Simple, while + Past Continuous
Example: “The phone rang while I was writing my lab report.”
✅ Exercise 1: Choose the Correct Tense
Select Past Simple or Past Continuous:
1. We ___ (do) an experiment when the bell rang.
2. The students ___ (finish) the test at 11 AM.
3. While I ___ (study), my brother turned on the music.
✍️ Exercise 2: Complete the Story
Complete the lab report with the correct tense:
📌 Summary
- Past Simple: completed actions (did, went, finished)
- Past Continuous: ongoing actions (was doing, were studying)
- Use while + Past Continuous for background actions
- Use Past Simple for short, interrupting events
- In science: “While we were observing, the cell divided.”
