Learn English > English lessons and exercises > English test #4090: Simple Preterite OR Preterite (BE+ing)

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Simple Preterite OR Preterite (BE+ing)

Grammar match: THE SIMPLE PAST vs. PRETERITE: BE + -ING

SIMPLE PAST	PRETERITE: BE + ING
SYNTAX
* Affirmative: -> Regular verbs: BV + -ED eg. We played football. -> Irregular verbs: please learn them eg. We ate a sandwich. * Questions & negation: use the auxiliary DID. eg. Did you play football? eg. No, we didn't play (did not play) football.	* All forms (regular & irregular verbs): we use the auxiliary BE in the past(WAS/WERE) + base form ending in -ING: eg. Were you playing football? Yes, we were playing football. No, we weren't (were not) playing football.
MAIN USE
A short action, which took place in the past. It is often dated. eg. In 1998, I went to Spain.	An action in the past, which was being done, when another short action interrupted it. eg. I was having a bath when the phone rang.

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Last week, I (buy) a new car.
Sarah (do) her homework when you (arrive).
What (you/do) last summer?
Peter (not to go) to school because he (to be) too tired.

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