Past simple or past continuous?
What is the difference in meaning in these sentences?
1.
When I lived in Paris, I was spending three hours a day travelling to and from work.
When I was living in Paris, I spent three hours a day travelling to and from work.
2.
I must confess that I wasn't listening while the teacher was explaining it to us.
I must confess that I didn't listen while the teacher explained it to us.
Top answer
There is no signficant difference in meaning in either case, but stylistically I find the first sentence of (2) more satisfactory than the second.
- There is no signficant difference in meaning in either case, but stylistically I find the first sentence of (2) more satisfactory than the second.
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There is no signficant difference in meaning in either case, but stylistically I find the first sentence of (2) more satisfactory than the second.
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