Question

Exercise instructions
Use the words in brackets to put the following into the correct tense – the past simple
or past continuous.

1. I used my time well while I (wait) ______________________ for my plane – I wrote some
emails.
2. I (not/work) ______________________ when my boss walked in the office: I was on
Facebook.
3. I saw a car crash when I (wait) ______________________ for the taxi.
4. Tom (have) ______________________ long hair and a beard when he was at university.
5. It started snowing while I (drive) ______________________ to work.
6. What (you/do) ______________________ this time last year?
7. I (not/call) ______________________ you at 9 o'clock as arranged because I was having
a meeting.
8. I (still/sleep) ______________________ when my wife left for work this morning.
9. Why did you bring your umbrella? (it/rain) ______________________ when you left
home?

www.speakspeak.com – English grammar and exercises 1.

Intermediate grammar exercise:
past simple vs. past continuous

Key

1. I used my time well while I (wait) was waiting​ for my plane – I wrote some emails.
2. I (not/work) was not working / wasn’t working​ when my boss walked in the office: I
was on Facebook.
3. I saw a car crash when I (wait) was waiting​ for the taxi.
4. Tom (have) had​ long hair and a beard when he was at university.
5. It started snowing while I (drive) was driving​ to work.
6. What (you/do) were you doing​ this time last year?
7. I (not/call) didn’t call​ you at 9 o'clock as arranged because I was having a meeting.
8. I (still/sleep) was still sleeping​ when my wife left for work this morning.
9. Why did you bring your umbrella? (it/rain) Was it raining​ when you left home?

Answer 1

1. was waiting 2.did not work/didn't work 3.was waiting 4.had a 5.was driving 6.Did you do 7.Didn't call you 8.was still slleping 9.it was raining