Grammar structure
What is the structure of a past simple positive sentence?
Subject + Verb (past tense) + Complement
When do you use the past simple tense?
For actions that were completed in the past.
"Ayer fui al parque."
Yesterday, I went to the park.
"They were listening to music."
Ellos estaban escuchando música.
Make a past simple sentence using the word "play"
I played basketball yesterday
What is the structure of a past continuous positive sentence?
Subject + was/were + Verb (ing) + Complement
When do you use the past continuous tense?
For actions that were in progress at a specific time in the past.
"Ella no vio la película anoche."
She didn't watch the movie last night.
"We were playing video games when it started to rain"
Nosotros estábamos jugando videojuegos cuando empezó a llover
Make a past continuous sentence using the word "read"
She was reading a book last night.
We use this verb to form questions and negatives in the Past Simple.
DID
What auxiliary verbs are used in past continuous sentences?
Was/Were
"No hicimos la tarea."
We didn't do the homework.
"She wasn't sleeping when I called."
Ella no estaba durmiendo cuando llamé.
Make a past simple sentence using the word "win."
They won the game last year.
We use "was/were" + verb-ing for the Past Continuous. How do we say this in Spanish?
Estaba/Estaban + (verbo + ando/endo)
With what pronouns do we use WERE in past continuous
You, We, They
"¿Fuiste a la fiesta el sábado?"
Did you go to the party on Saturday?
"What was he doing?"
¿Qué estaba haciendo él?
Make a past continuous QUESTION using the word "sing"
What were you singing yesterday?
Was she singing that song?
How do you form a question in the past continuous tense?
Was/Were + Subject + Verb(-ing) + Complement?
How do you know when to use past simple instead of past continuous?
We use Past Simple for completed actions
and
Past Continuous for actions that were ongoing or interrupted.
"¿Qué estabas haciendo cuando sonó el teléfono?"
[sonar - ring (present tense)]
What were you doing when the phone rang?
"Were you sleeping when the earthquake started?"
¿Estabas durmiendo cuando empezó el terremoto?
Make a past simple QUESTION using the word "think"
Did you think about the test?
What did you think about that?