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Analyze Differences

Now that students are comfortable writing the two similar grammar structures, it's time to study the differences in usage.

A side-by-side comparison chart for Past Simple and Past Continuous is a good way to get started. Then, we need some practice activities. Tip: Check out the printable comparison chart below that has been prepared by YourDictionary.
Give examples of the grammar structures in question used correctly, and ask specific questions to highlight the differences. If you're studying Past Simple vs. Past Continuous, you might give this sentence: "At 8:00 last night, I was folding laundry." You would then ask:
Which verb tense is used? When (specifically) did this action happen?
If the action was in progress at a specific moment that is stated in the sentence, you should use Past Continuous. If the action happened in the past, but a specific moment is not stated, or the action did not take more than a moment to complete, you should use Past Simple.
Another activity to try is fill-in-the-blank sentences with specific questions to walk students through the process of choosing the correct grammar structure. Using the same sentence from the previous activity, you would give this sentence: "At 8:00 last night, I ________________ (fold) laundry." You would then ask: Did this action happen at a specific time? Did the action take only a moment to complete, or was it in progress at the moment stated in the sentence? These questions will help the students determine which tense to use.
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