Simple Past vs. Past Continuous/Progressive
We ______ (have) dinner when the fire alarm ______ (go) off.
We were having dinner when the fire alarm went off.
I taught ______ how to cook by watching videos.
I taught myself how to cook by watching videos.
I think this version is ______ (good) than the original.
I think this version is better than the original.
You ______ try restarting your computer if it's not working.
You can/should try restarting your computer if it's not working.
I ______ (read) a great book.
I am reading a great book.
They ______ (not notice) me because they ______ (talk) to someone else.
They did not notice me because they were talking to someone else.
You should treat ______ with more respect.
You should treat yourself with more respect.
That was the ______ (bad) movie I’ve ever seen!
That was the worst movie I’ve ever seen!
I ______ speak three languages fluently.
I can speak three languages fluently.
She usually ______ (go) to the gym after work.
She usually goes to the gym after work.
While I ______ (walk) to work, I ______ (see) an old friend.
While I was walking to work, I saw an old friend.
They purchased gifts for _________.
They purchased gifts for each other.
Today is ______ (cold) than yesterday.
Today is colder than yesterday.
We ______ be careful when crossing the street.
We must be careful when crossing the street.
They ______ (watch) a movie tonight.
They are watching a movie tonight.
I ______ (break) a glass while I ______ (do) the dishes.
I broke a glass while I was doing the dishes.
They blamed ______ for the mistake they made.
They blamed themselves for the mistake they made.
Of all the students, Maria is the ______ (smart).
Of all the students, Maria is the smartest.
He ______ have left already — I can’t find him anywhere.
He must have left already — I can’t find him anywhere.
My brother ______ (not eat) meat; he’s vegetarian.
My brother doesn't eat meat; he’s vegetarian.
The children ______ (play) outside when it suddenly ______ (start) to rain.
The children were playing outside when it suddenly started to rain.
She looked at ______ in the mirror before leaving.
She looked at herself in the mirror before leaving.
This book is ______ (interesting) than the one I read last week.
This book is more interesting than the one I read last week.
______ I borrow your pen for a moment?
May I borrow your pen for a moment?
We ______ (prepare) for our trip to Italy this week.
We are preparing for our trip to Italy this week.