1. Past simple vs past continuous
We often use simple past and past continuous in the same sentence. Let’s see what the difference is between both.

2. The past continuous describes a long action IN PROGRESS, or a ‘background’ situation in the past.
The past simple describes a- usually short -action that INTERRUMPTS the ‘situation’ described by the past continuous tense.
I broke my leg when I was skiing.
I was playing a computer game when the doorbell rang.
While John was sleeping last night, someone stole his car.
Sammy and John were waiting for us when we got off the plane.
While I was writing the , the computer suddenly went off.
A: What were you doing when you broke your leg? B: I was snowboarding.