Learn English > English lessons and exercises > English test #24: Preterite: simple or continuous?

	> Other English exercises on the same topic: \| Past [Change theme]
	> Similar tests: - Past simple or present perfect - Past tenses - Past simple (video) - Modal: may/might - Past simple or past continuous - Placement test 1 - Adverbs and past tense - Choosing your past tense...
	> Double-click on words you don't understand

Preterite: simple or continuous?

Preterite: BE + -ING

Main use: action in the past, which was being done, when another short action interrupted it.

Syntax: auxiliary BE (was/were) + Verb + -ING

Examples:
Were they playing football when you saw them yesterday?

Answers:
Yes, they were playing football when I saw them yesterday.
= Yes, they were.

No, they weren't playing football when I saw them yesterday.
= No, they weren't.

Choose the correct preterite: simple or continuous?

Twitter Share
English exercise "Preterite: simple or continuous?" created by webmaster with The test builder. [More lessons & exercises from webmaster]
Click here to see the current stats of this English test

Please log in to save your progress.

I (have) a bath yesterday when the phone (ring). ' That must be my mother,' I (think). As I (get) out of the bath, I (put) my foot on my watch and I (break) it. The phone (still/ring). I (run) out of the bathroom and I (hit) my head on the floor. It (hurt) terribly and I (want) to sit down for a moment but the phone (still/ring). ' Please wait a minute, mother,' I (think). The cats (sit) at the top of the stairs. I (not/see - forme contractée) them and I (fall). At the bottom of the stairs, I (get up). My right leg (hurt) more than my head. The phone (still/ring). At last I (answer) it. It (be) my mother. 'Hello, dear. Is everything all right?' she (say).

End of the free exercise to learn English: Preterite: simple or continuous?
A free English exercise to learn English.
Other English exercises on the same topic : | Past | All our lessons and exercises