simple past vs past continuous
While I __________ (read) a book, the lights suddenly __________ (go) out.
While I was reading a book, the lights suddenly went out.
I __________ (read) that book several times, but I __________ (not finish) it until last night.
I have read that book several times, but I didn’t finish it until last night.
I __________ (work) in the same position for over ten years, and honestly, I’m ready for something new.
I have been working in the same position for over ten years, and honestly, I’m ready for something new.
I __________ (never / hear) that song before — is it new?
I have never heard that song before — is it new?
When I arrived at the station, the train __________ (already / leave).
When I arrived at the station, the train had already left
He __________ (drive) too fast when the police __________ (stop) him.
He was driving too fast when the police stopped him.
She __________ (work) here since January, but she __________ (already / apply) for a new job.
She has worked here since January, but she has already applied for a new job.
My phone __________ (ring) constantly today — I __________ (speak) to at least ten clients already.
My phone has been ringing constantly today — I have spoken to at least ten clients already.
By the time we arrived at the airport, the plane __________ (already / take off).
By the time we arrived at the airport, the plane had already taken off.
I __________ (watch) the film when the screen suddenly went black.
I was watching the film when the screen suddenly went black.
We __________ (have) dinner when the doorbell __________ (ring).
We were having dinner when the doorbell rang.
My parents __________ (visit) us twice this year, but they __________ (not / stay) for long.
My parents have visited us twice this year, but they didn’t stay for long.
Why are your clothes all wet? __________ you __________ (walk) in the rain?
Why are your clothes all wet? Have you been walking in the rain?
I __________ (not / eat) all day, so by dinner I was starving.
I hadn’t eaten all day, so by dinner I was starving.
She __________ (work) as a teacher for over ten years, but now she’s thinking of a change.
She has been working as a teacher for over ten years, but now she’s thinking of a change.
I __________ (break) a glass while I __________ (wash) the dishes.
I broke a glass while I was washing the dishes.
We __________ (not / receive) your email yet — when exactly __________ you __________ (send) it?
We haven’t received your email yet — when exactly did you send it?
We __________ (not / receive) your payment yet — could you please confirm the transaction?
We haven't received your payment yet — could you please confirm the transaction?
They __________ (finish) the report, so now they can relax.
They have finished the report, so now they can relax.
You look tired. __________ you __________ (work) late again?
You look tired. Have you been working late again?
Not only __________ they __________ (not / pay) attention, but they also __________ (talk) loudly when the teacher __________ (ask) an important question.
Not only weren’t they paying attention, but they also were talking loudly when the teacher asked an important question.
You __________ (always / say) you want to travel more — so why __________ you never __________ (book) that trip to Japan?
You have always said you wanted to travel more — so why have you never booked that trip to Japan?
He __________ (write) articles for this magazine for years, and he __________ (win) several awards for his work.
He has written articles for this magazine for years, and he has won several awards for his work.
We were late because we __________ (forget) to set the alarm.
We were late because we had forgotten to set the alarm.
By the time the meeting started, half the team __________ (leave) already.
By the time the meeting started, half the team had left already.