Grammar CornerGrammar Lab · Leerjaar 3, 4, 5
Grammar Lab · Past simple vs past continuous
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Quick explain
- • De past continuous is de achtergrond, de past simple is de gebeurtenis erin.
- • Kort en klaar → past simple. Langer en bezig → past continuous.
- • While hoort meestal bij de continuous, when bij de simple.
───── was watching TV ─────✕ the lights went out
Examples
- While I was watching TV, the lights went out.
- When she arrived, we were having dinner.
- He was crossing the road when a car stopped.
- First I finished my homework, then I watched a film.
Dutch alert
I was breaking my leg when I skied.
I broke my leg while I was skiing.
De korte gebeurtenis (break) krijgt de past simple, de bezigheid (ski) de continuous.