Interrupted actions
At that moment
Questions: Was/Were + subject + verb + -ing?
Setting the scene
Completed actions
Was/Were + verb + -ing
As
Last week
Used for actions in progress
Irregular verbs (specific forms)
Background actions
Ongoing actions in the past
Specific time references
In 2010
Habits in the past
Ongoing actions in the past
Past facts
While
Regular verbs + -ed
Questions: Did + subject + base form?
Simultaneous actions
Two days ago
Yesterday
Setting the scene
Background actions
Interrupted actions
All day
Negative: did not + base form
Simultaneous actions
Sequential actions
Negative: was/were not + verb + -ing
When I was a child
Affirmative: subject + past form
Affirmative: subject + was/were + verb + -ing
When