i lived vs i was living

Both "I lived" and "I was living" are correct phrases, but they are used in different contexts. "I lived" is simple past tense and refers to a specific period in the past when you resided in a particular place. On the other hand, "I was living" is past continuous tense and indicates an ongoing action or state in the past. The choice between the two depends on whether you want to emphasize a specific point in the past ("I lived") or the continuous nature of an action in the past ("I was living").

Last updated: April 08, 2024 • 550 views

This phrase is correct and commonly used in English to refer to a specific period in the past when you resided in a particular place.

"i lived"

Use "I lived" when you want to talk about a specific time in the past when you resided in a particular place. It is simple past tense.

Examples:

I lived in Paris for five years.
She lived in that house when she was a child.
They lived happily ever after.

Show examples from the web [+]

But again this is because i lived in Canada, and Korea, and the USA. Guess which one has the highest crime rate out of these three countries?
I lived with him that year...
At first, I lived in a basement. Humid and dirty.
In the mental institution where I lived...
Compared to where I lived before...
I lived with the Elms family.
I lived with you for years.
I lived there for 20 years.
I lived with a stranger for 2 years.
But I lived every day free.
I lived there, Kyle and I.
I lived in L.A. for a few years.
I lived my whole life with you children and Emilie.
I told you before, I lived one way my whole life.
It was a hallway pay phone where I lived.
I lived many years in United States.
I lived many years in United States.
I lived in Silicon Valley for seven years.
I lived and worked with 300 Deaf individuals that were relocated after the 2010 earthquake.
Beth and I were friends when I lived here.

Alternatives:

I resided
I dwelled
I stayed

This phrase is correct and commonly used in English to indicate an ongoing action or state in the past.

"i was living"

Use "I was living" when you want to emphasize the continuous nature of an action or state in the past. It is past continuous tense.

Examples:

I was living in New York when I met him.
She was living with her parents at the time.
They were living in a small apartment while their house was being renovated.

Show examples from the web [+]

Until yesterday I was living like a...
I was living in Wah Fu Estate.
I just wish I knew what the hell I was living for.
I was living my life all wrong.
Because i moved again, i was living in New York for seven years, and now i moved back to Malibu, so now i'm building a beautiful studio, in the extra house, and it's finished.
I was living with him for a little while.
And I met Julius the last week that I was living in Kibera.
I was living here with Judith.
I was living in Bushwick during the blackout of '77.
But I was living in Queens at the time.
But you killed the lie that I was living.
I was living still at home with my parents.
I found them when I was living in Wyomming.
I met him when I was living in Naples.
I was living just a few blocks away.
I was living in a U.C. pad.
Before this, I was living on the streets.
I was living out of fear.
I was living behind the pub then.
They ended up at a Hardees not too far from where I was living.

Alternatives:

I was residing
I was dwelling
I was staying

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i lived vs i was living

"i lived"

"i was living"

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