The timeline
When I arrived at the stadium, the match _______ (already/start).
When I arrived at the stadium, the match HAD ALREADY STARTED.
I was running when I suddenly _______ (fall) down.
I was running when I suddenly FELL down.
When I was a child, I _______ (go) swimming every week.
When I was a child, I USED TO GO swimming every week.
I was knowing my coach for a long time when he left.
I HAD KNOWN my coach for a long time when he left.
I worked at that company for five years, but I never really liked my ________. We just didn't have anything in common.
I worked at that company for five years, but I never really liked my COLLEAGUE(S). We just didn't have anything in common.
Yesterday, I was happy because my team _______ (win) the trophy the night before.
I was happy because my team HAD WON the trophy the night before.
While the fans _______ (shout), the referee _______ (blow) his whistle.
While the fans WERE SHOUTING, the referee BLEW his whistle.
As a teenager I would/ got used to/ used to meet with my friends very often.
As a teenager I would/ used to meet with my friends very often.
I didn't used to fall out with my classmates.
I didn't USE to fall out with my classmates.
The players were furious because the ________ didn't see the foul.
The players were furious because the REFEREE didn't see the foul.
We got married/ had gotten married after we were together/ had been together for ten years.
We GOT MARRIED after we HAD BEEN TOGETHER for ten years.
We _______ (have) a romantic dinner when my ex _______ (walk) into the restaurant!
We WERE HAVING a romantic dinner when my ex WALKED into the restaurant!
When I was younger, I _______ (play) volleyball every day, but now I __________ (play) anymore.
When I was younger, I USED TO PLAY/ WOULD PLAY volleyball every day, but now I DON'T PLAY anymore.
While I was train, I had broken my medal.
While I was trainING, I BROKE my medal.
My sister and her best friend ________ because of a stupid argument about a boy, and now they aren't speaking.
My sister and her best friend FELL OUT because of a stupid argument about a boy, and now they aren't speaking.
I ___________ (recognize) my ex-partner because he _______ (change) his hair color.
I DIDN'T my ex-partner because he HAD CHANGED his hair color.
The phone suddenly ________ (stop) working. Thankfully I ___________ (talk) to a customer at that moment.
The phone suddenly STOPPED working. Thankfully I WASN'T TALKING to a customer at that moment.
I _______ (not/like) my flatmate at first, but now we are best friends.
I DIDN'T USE TO LIKE my flatmate at first, but now we are best friends.
I would have a lot of trophies when I was a child.
I USED TO have a lot of trophies when I was a child.
You should always ________ for at least ten minutes before a match, or you might pull a muscle.
You should always WARM UP for at least ten minutes before a match, or you might pull a muscle.
By the time the coach _______ (arrive), the players _______ (already/warm up), so they immediately started playing.
By the time the coach ARRIVED, the players HAD ALREADY WARMED UP, so they immediately started playing.
What _______ the athletes _______ (do) when the fire alarm _______ (go) off?
What WERE the athletes DOING when the fire alarm WENT off?
Use past habit and present contrast: I _______ (be) single, but then I _______ (meet) my soulmate.
I USED TO BE single, but then I MET my soulmate.
When we had arrived, the crowd cheering because the team had score a goal.
When we ARRIVED, the crowd WAS cheering because the team had scoreD a goal.
I don't really know him well; he's just an ________ that I met at a party a few years ago.
I don't really know him well; he's just an ACQUAINTANCE that I met at a party a few years ago.