Past Simple vs. Past Progressive
Read the following sentences and choose the verb tense that best fits with the context of the story.
Wife: Justin and Stephanie (invited/were inviting) us to their party which is next Tuesday.
Husband: Oh, that’s great! Who (called/was calling) you? Justin or Stephanie?
Wife: Neither, dear. Stephanie (invited/was inviting) us online.
Husband: How did she do that?
Wife: Well, we (chatted/were chatting) online when she suddenly (remembered/was remembering) to invite us.
Husband: I know, but I (thought/was thinking) the computer was broken. I’m glad it finally (started/was starting) again.
Wife: Yes. I (thought/was thinking) about fixing it for a long time. Then I finally (decided/was deciding) to look at it.
Husband: Was it easy?
Wife: Well, it (didn’t take/wasn’t taking) very long. I just (had/was having) to disconnect everything.
Husband: That’s too bad.
Wife: Why?
Husband: I (hoped/was hoping) we could buy a new computer.
Wife: We just (bought/were buying) a new computer!