The Simple Past is used to talk about an activity or situation that began and ended at a particular time in the past.
Ex: yesterday, last night, two days ago, in 1998 and etc.
Ex in sentences:
a) Amanda walked to library yesterday.
b) He slept for six hours last night.
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The Past Progressive
The Past Progressive expresses an activity that was in progress (was happening) at a point of time in the past.
FORM: was/were + -ing.
Ex: at 6.10 or at the time of another action (ex: when Azwan came).
Ex in sentences:
a) I sat down at the dinner table at 6.00 P.M. yesterday. Azwan came to my house at 6.10 P.M. I was eating dinner when Azwan came.
Explanation: eating was in progress at 6.10 P.M; eating was in progress when Azwan came.
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| 6.00 P.M |
 |
| 6.10 P.M |
b) I went to bed at 10.00 P.M. The phone rang at 11.00 P.M. I was sleeping when the phone rang.
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| 10.00 P.M |
 |
| 11.00 P.M |
