PAST SIMPLE OR CONTINUOUS

The past simple and the past continuous both refer to completed actions in the past.

When we are talking about such actions, most of the time, we use the past simple. This is by far the most common way of talking about the past.

They lived in Florida for 6 years.
I only found out a few minutes ago.
The company took on more than 100 people last year.
He asked her but she didn't know anything.
The past continuous is used only when you want to emphasize the continuity of the action.

Jack was talking about it all evening.
They were really trying hard but couldn't do it.
Were you expecting him to get the job?
I was thinking about you the other day.
The past continuous to talk about the "background action" and the past simple to talk about the shorter completed action.

It was snowing hard when we left home.
I was reading the report when you rang.
She was going out to an appointment when I saw her.
Everybody was taking a break when I arrived.
The company was doing well when I last visited it.