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Here is the entry for Past Simple vs Past Continuous. It is highlighted below.
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What it is

Two past tenses that work as a pair in stories. The Past Continuous sets the scene ('what was already happening'), and the Past Simple reports the finished events in order ('what happened next').

Form

TypePattern
Positive (Simple)subject + verb-ed / irregular pastWe arrived just before midnight.subject + verb-ed / irregular past
Negative (Simple)subject + didn't + verbShe didn't notice the message.subject + didn't + verb
Question (Simple)Did + subject + verb?Did you finish the exercise?Did + subject + verb?
Short answer (Simple)Yes, I did. / No, I didn't.— Did they call? — No, they didn't.Yes, I did. / No, I didn't.
Positive (Continuous)subject + was / were + verb-ingI was cooking when the doorbell rang.subject + was / were + verb-ing
Negative (Continuous)subject + wasn't / weren't + verb-ingThey weren't listening to the announcement.subject + wasn't / weren't + verb-ing
Question (Continuous)Was / Were + subject + verb-ing?Were you waiting long?Was / Were + subject + verb-ing?
Short answer (Continuous)Yes, I was. / No, I wasn't.— Was it raining? — Yes, it was.Yes, I was. / No, I wasn't.

Note: Regular Past Simple adds -ed; many common verbs are irregular (go → went, take → took).

Use it when

  • You set the scene at the start of a story: 'It was getting dark and we were walking home…'.
  • One action interrupts another: use 'when' + Past Simple, 'while' + Past Continuous.
  • You list finished events in sequence → Past Simple only.
  • You describe two things happening at the same time → both Past Continuous.

Examples

  • While we were queuing for tickets, the concert was cancelled.
  • The sun was shining, so we decided to walk instead of driving.
  • He was checking his phone when the teacher called his name.
  • I packed my bag, locked the door and left.

Watch out

  • I was finishing my homework at 8 and then I was going out.→I finished my homework at 8 and then went out.

    Short, completed actions in sequence take the Past Simple.

  • While I walked home, it started to rain.→While I was walking home, it started to rain.

    'While' introduces the longer background action, so it needs the Past Continuous.

  • Did you went to the match?→Did you go to the match?

    After did the main verb returns to its base form.

  • We was waiting outside.→We were waiting outside.

    Use was with I/he/she/it and were with you/we/they.

Remember

  • Picture it: the Continuous is the line, the Simple is the dot that lands on it.
  • 'When' usually takes the short action; 'while' usually takes the long one.
  • Stories score better with one scene-setting Continuous plus a chain of Simple events.

Quick check

  1. 1. We ____ (watch) TV when the phone rang.

    Answer: were watching

  2. 2. She ____ (finish) the report at six o'clock.

    Answer: finished

  3. 3. While he ____ (wait) for the bus, he met an old friend.

    Answer: was waiting

  4. 4. ____ they ____ (enjoy) the trip? — Yes, they did.

    Answer: Did / enjoy