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Past simple, continuous or perfect

Diana was listening to the children who were playing in the garden, as she took the cake out of the box. She had told them to stay outside.

She placed the cake on the table and took out some birthday candles.She was laying the table when the doorbell rang.

She stopped what she was doing and went to the door.Her friend Susan was outside.Her face was red because she had been at the gym.

Susan followed Diana to the kitchen and sat at the table.She looked at the cake and said, "Chocolate.Lovely.

It's my favourite".Diana was pleased. She had chosen the flavour a few days before going to the baker's.

When the doorbell rang she was still wondering if she had made the right choice.

Explanation.

PAST SIMPLE

1.We use past simple to talk about actions in a past event, to say what happened next.

Example

She took the cake out of the box and placed it on the table.

PAST CONTINUOUS

2(a).We use past continuous to talk about an action that had begun, but hadn't finished at a time in the past.

Example

Sara was listening to the children who were playing outside.

2(b) We often use past simple and past continuous together when a short action comes in the middle of a longer one.

Example.

She was laying the table when the doorbell rang. (She hadn't finished laying the table.This was 'interrupted by the door bell ringing)

PAST PERFECT

3.We use the past perfect before a past situation.

Example

She had chosen the flavour. (Her choice was made before she entered the baker's)

Compare.

When he got to the cinema the film started. = He was on time.

When he got to the cinema the film had started = He missed the beginning.

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