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    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?





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    English exercise "Preterite: simple or continuous?" created by webmaster with The test builder. [More lessons & exercises from webmaster]
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    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).








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