Past Simple vs. Past ContinuousThe long action, the short one, when and while

Stories about the past often use both tenses in one sentence.

• LONG + SHORTA short action cuts in

  The phone rings mid-cooking.was cooking ━━━━━✕ rang━━━━━

  I was cooking dinner when the phone rang.

• LONG + LONGAt the same time

  Side by side.was studying ━━━━was playing ━━━━

  While I was studying, my brother was playing games.

• SHORT, SHORT, SHORTOne after another

  In order.openedturned onsat down

  She opened the door, turned on the light and sat down.

The long action: was / were + -ing. The short action that cuts in: past simple.

• … WHEN + SHORT ACTION

  Swas / were V-ingwhenSpast form

  We were waiting at the stop when the bus came.

  The action after when cuts in.

• WHILE + LONG ACTION, …

  WhileSwas / were V-ing,Spast form

  While I was walking to work, I met an old friend.

  While goes with the long action.

If when or while comes first, put a comma after that half.

1. Setting the scene

   It was a cold night and the wind was blowing. Suddenly, all the lights went out.

   The -ing verbs set the scene.

• Incorrect:I walking home when I saw Minh.

  Correct:I was walking home when I saw Minh.

  An -ing verb needs was or were in front.

• Incorrect:A man was stealing my bike while I shopped.

  Correct:A man stole my bike while I was shopping.

  Shopping is the long action.

• Incorrect:While the bus arrived, I got on.

  Correct:When the bus arrived, I got on.

  Arriving is a moment: use when.

• Incorrect:I was reading when you come in.

  Correct:I was reading when you came in.

  The verb after when is in the past too.