1.過去進(jìn)行時(shí)強(qiáng)調(diào)動(dòng)作在過去某時(shí)刻正在進(jìn)行或持續(xù)，而一般過去時(shí)表示動(dòng)作的完成。如： He was writing his composition last night.
他昨晚在寫作文。(不一定寫完)

He wrote his composition last night.

他昨晚寫了一篇作文。(已經(jīng)寫完)

2.表示過去的狀態(tài)、感覺及心理活動(dòng)的靜態(tài)動(dòng)詞(如be, like, love, hate, fear, own, hear, see, know, want, notice)可用于一般過去時(shí)，但通常不用于進(jìn)行時(shí)。如：
I hated it when a man spoke with his mouth full of food.

我討厭人們說話時(shí)口里含著食物。

3.一般過去時(shí)與always, constantly, forever, continually等連用，表示過去經(jīng)常性、習(xí)慣性的動(dòng)作；而過去進(jìn)行時(shí)與always, constantly, forever, continually等連用，表示動(dòng)作的重復(fù)，常帶有感情色彩。如：
He always got up at six.

他過去總是6點(diǎn)起床。

He was always thinking of his work.

他總是一心想著工作。

4.有時(shí)過去進(jìn)行時(shí)可以用來替換一般過去時(shí)，但一般過去時(shí)表示主語的行為是經(jīng)過認(rèn)真考慮的；而過去進(jìn)行時(shí)表示一種較隨便或沒有進(jìn)行仔細(xì)考慮的行為。如：
I thought that he would agree with us.

我認(rèn)為他會(huì)同意我們的觀點(diǎn)。

I was thinking of persuading him to follow my advice.

我想要說服他接受我們的建議。

例句對比：
1.I read a book yesterday. (書已看完)
I was reading a book yesterday.(書尚未看完)
2. The guests arrived.(客人已到)
The guests were arriving.(客人陸續(xù)到達(dá))
3.He woke from a dream. (表示全醒)
He was waking from a dream.(表示初醒)
4.The old man died.(已死)
The old man was dying.(要死)
6.John told me about it.(告訴我了,我都知道了)
John was telling me about it.(跟我談起過,我想了解更多的事情)
7. They persuaded me to go along with them.(已經(jīng)說服)
They were persuading me to go along with them.(還在勸說)
8. The wind blew hard all night.(強(qiáng)調(diào)事實(shí))
The wind was blowing hard all night.(強(qiáng)調(diào)風(fēng)刮個(gè)不停)
9. He knocked at the door.(強(qiáng)調(diào)一次性)
He was knocking at the door.(強(qiáng)調(diào)多次性)