Past progressive vs Simple Past

Past Progressive

*actions in progress at a stated time in the past.

He was driving to work at 9 o’clock yesterday afternoon.

*actions that were happening simultaneously in the past.

Bob was walking while Ben was running to catch the bus.

*past action in progress interrupted by another action. The action that interrupted the action in progress is in the simple past

Jenny was having a shower when the pone rang

Simple Past

*action that happened at a stated time in the past

He left yesterday afternoon

*paste actions that happenend one after the other

She opened the door, went into the office and walked toward the desk.