Grade 8, choosing the right tense

Past Simple or Past Continuous?

I was walking when it started to rain. Two tenses side by side, so students learn which one fits, plus the O/L "verb forms in brackets" task.

The rule in one line

Finished actions → past simple · In progress at a past moment → past continuous

What is in this lesson

  • Short steps5 steps with pictures, sound and instant feedback.
  • Notes to copyA short note for the exercise book, made for the Sri Lankan classroom.
  • Sinhala and Tamil helpPress and hold any English word to see its meaning.

Practise it with games

After the lesson, students pick a game and choose “Past Simple or Past Continuous?”. Every question in the game then uses this lesson, at their grade.

  • Memory MatchFlip cards and match each sentence with its missing word!
  • Flappy VerbyFlap Verby through the gap with the right word!
  • Tower Stack 3DBuild a 3D tower — every right answer adds a block!
  • Maze EscapeFind your way through the maze to the right door!

See all 45 games

More lessons: choosing the right tense

Questions parents ask

Which grade learns Past Simple or Past Continuous??

In English Genius it is a Grade 8 lesson, in the choosing the right tense topic. Students in any later grade can open it again to revise.

How do students practise Past Simple or Past Continuous??

With games: they choose this lesson inside any of 45 games, so every question uses it. There is also a short note to copy into the exercise book.

How much does it cost?

7 days of everything for Rs. 100, then from Rs. 750 a month.

Try everything for 7 days for Rs. 100

Message us on WhatsApp or call 072 399 3300. We make the account and send the student ID card the same day.