Introduction
Understanding the difference between the past simple and past continuous tenses is crucial for the TOEIC Listening & Reading test. These tenses help describe actions in the past, and knowing when to use each can improve your comprehension and communication skills in business settings.
Explanation
Past Simple: This tense describes completed actions in the past. It's often used with specific time expressions like "yesterday," "last week," or "in 2010."
Example: "The meeting ended at 3 PM yesterday."
Past Continuous: This tense describes actions that were ongoing at a specific time in the past. It often sets the scene for another action or event.
Example: "I was reviewing the report when the phone rang."
Common mistakes
Mixing up the tenses: Learners often confuse when to use past simple and past continuous. Remember, past simple is for completed actions, while past continuous is for ongoing actions at a specific past time.
Incorrect: "I was finished the project last night."
Correct: "I finished the project last night."
Forgetting the past continuous structure: The past continuous requires "was/were" + verb-ing.
Incorrect: "She working on the presentation."
Correct: "She was working on the presentation."
Tips for the TOEIC test
Pay attention to time expressions: Words like "while," "when," and "as" often indicate the use of past continuous.
Listen for context: In the Listening section, identify whether the speaker is talking about a completed action or an ongoing past activity.
Mini practice
Fill in the blanks with the correct form of the verb in parentheses.
While John __________ (present) the sales figures, the fire alarm __________ (go) off.
They __________ (complete) the project last Friday.
As I __________ (walk) to the office, I __________ (see) an old friend.
Answers:
was presenting, went
completed
was walking, saw