Past Simple: the main events

The main events are the backbone of a story: each one is finished before the next begins. Tell them in Past Simple, and the listener understands that they happened one after another.

subject + past form (verb + -ed or irregular form)

• Suddenly the music stopped and the lights came on.
• She read the message twice and then deleted it.
• Eventually the driver got out and apologized.

Past Continuous: the background

Past Continuous does not move the story forward; it shows what was already going on around the main event. Use it to set the scene (weather, what people were doing) and for a longer action that a shorter event interrupts.

subject + was / were + verb-ing

• She was reading the message when her boss walked in.
• The sun was setting, and a cold wind was blowing from the sea.
• While the guests were arriving, the chef was still preparing the main course.

While usually introduces the longer action in Past Continuous; when usually introduces the shorter event in Past Simple.