Usage Examples Past Simple vs. Past Continuous

• Were they smiling when they saw you? -
• Someone took a picture of Tom while he was sitting on a bench. -
• What were you doing at eight o'clock last night? -
• Was your grandmother working when she met your grandfather? -
• Were they studying at this time yesterday? -
• When I woke up, it was snowing. -
• Was Anna having a shower when an earthquake began? -
• My wife arrived when I was having a bath. -
• Where was your cousin born? -
• What were they doing when you arrived at the party? -
• Why were you crying when I met you? -
• The children were playing in the park when it started to rain. -
• Anna was sleeping when the burglars broke into her house. -
• Paula was running when the storm started. -
• I was watching television when my mother came home. -
• Anna did not mean to hurt you. -
• My mother bought a new bag yesterday. -
• Where was Rob going when he lost his phone? -
• I was studying at the library all day yesterday. -
• I met Elisa when I was going to work. -