Use the past simple for finished events, states and habits in the past (I had a car; I walked to school). Use the past continuous (was or were + -ing) for an action in progress at a past moment, usually as background to a shorter event: I was walking home when it started to rain.
The two forms in one picture
Imagine a story as a film. The past continuous is the background: what was happening, like a long scene. The past simple is the event that happens in front of it: the short action that moves the story forward.
I was walking home (background, long) when it started to rain (event, short). Both verbs are in the past, but the continuous verb gives the scene and the simple verb gives the news.
- I was reading in the library when the fire alarm went off. · background + event
- She opened the window and looked outside. · two finished events, one after the other
How to form each tense
The past simple adds -ed to regular verbs (studied, worked) or uses an irregular form (went, had, knew). Questions and negatives use did + base verb: Did you travel? I did not travel.
The past continuous uses was or were + the -ing form: I was studying, they were working. Questions and negatives use the same pattern: Were you travelling? She was not listening.
Background action and interrupting event
Use the continuous for the longer action and the simple for the shorter one that interrupts it. The words while and as usually go with the continuous: While I was waiting, the bus broke down. The word when often goes with the simple event: I was waiting when the bus broke down.
Two long actions at the same time can both be continuous: While my sister was cooking, I was setting the table. Two events in order are both simple: I finished the report, then I sent it.
State verbs: had, knew, wanted, not was having
Some verbs describe a state, not an action: have (own), know, want, like, love, hate, need, believe, understand, belong, seem. These almost never take the continuous, even for the past. Say I had a bike, not I was having a bike. Say I knew the answer, not I was knowing it.
Watch the verb have. When it means own or possess, it is a state: I had a small flat. When it means experience or eat, it is an action and the continuous is possible: I was having lunch when you called.
Past habits
For things you did again and again in the past, use the past simple with a time word, or used to: I walked to school every day. As a child I used to play outside. Do not use the past continuous for a habit. I was walking to school every day is wrong for a normal routine.
There is one exception. With always, the continuous can show annoyance: My brother was always borrowing my things. It sounds like a complaint, so use it carefully.
Three questions to ask before you choose
When you are not sure, ask yourself three quick questions about the verb. First: is it a state, such as had, knew, wanted or liked? If yes, use the past simple. Second: did the action finish and move the story forward, like opened, arrived or decided? If yes, use the past simple. Third: was the action already going on at the moment you are describing, and are you painting the scene? If yes, use the past continuous.
Time words also help. At six o'clock, at that moment, all evening and while point to the continuous. Yesterday, last year, then, suddenly and after that point to the simple. They are clues, not rules, but they are right most of the time and they will save you in a fast Speaking answer.
Finally, do not overuse the continuous. A learner who puts was or were before every verb sounds unnatural. Most of the verbs in a good story are in the past simple. The continuous is the seasoning, not the main dish.
Common mistakes in IELTS answers
In Speaking Part 2 you often tell a story from the past, so these mistakes are easy to hear:
- When I was a child, I was having a dog. Say: I had a dog.
- I was knowing him for five years. Say: I knew him for five years.
- I was seeing the accident. Say: I saw the accident. See is a single event here.
- When I was walking home, I was meeting my teacher. Say: I met my teacher. The meeting is the event.
Who finds this hard?
- Spanish speakers: Spanish imperfect covers states, habits and background in one form (tenía, sabía). English splits them: had and knew are past simple, and was doing is only for a moment in progress.
- Portuguese speakers: Portuguese also has an imperfect that does several jobs. Learn that English uses the past simple or used to for habits and states.
- Italian speakers: Italian imperfect is similar. In English, the past continuous is narrower, so keep it for actions in progress.
IELTS tip
In Speaking Part 2, start with the past simple to say what happened, then add one or two sentences in the past continuous for the scene: It was raining and people were hurrying home. This gives your story both pace and detail. Check that every state verb, such as had, knew and wanted, stays simple.
Frequently asked questions
What is the difference between past simple and past continuous?
The past simple names a finished event, state or habit. The past continuous shows an action that was in progress at a certain time in the past, often as the background to an event.
Can I say I was having a car?
No. When have means own, it is a state verb and takes the past simple: I had a car. You can use the continuous when have means eat or experience: I was having breakfast.
Do I use while or when with the past continuous?
While and as usually go with the longer continuous action: While I was working, the phone rang. When often goes with the shorter event in the past simple.
How do I talk about past habits?
Use the past simple with a time word (I played football every weekend) or used to. Do not use the past continuous for a normal repeated routine.
Sources
- Swan, M. (2016). Practical English Usage, 4th edition. Oxford University Press.
- Carter, R. and McCarthy, M. (2006). Cambridge Grammar of English. Cambridge University Press.