Past Tense Contrast
I have learnt all English tenses but I'm still confused of the usage of each of them, especially for Past Tense Contrast. Why are they sooo complicated?????
E.g. The ground was wet when I "left/was leaving" the house. It "rained/had rained" during the night.

If I use the rules of Past Continuous-----since there is a "when"---, the answer must have been "was leaving" and it should be "It rained during the night" because there is a specific adverb of time. But, the answers are "Left and Had Rained"...

The question is, are these "past tenses" really used in the real conversation? Are the expert using these tenses while they're lecturing?

Question

Past Tense Contrast
I have learnt all English tenses but I'm still confused of the usage of each of them, especially for Past Tense Contrast. Why are they sooo complicated?????
E.g. The ground was wet when I "left/was leaving" the house. It "rained/had rained" during the night.

If I use the rules of Past Continuous-----since there is a "when"---, the answer must have been "was leaving" and it should be "It rained during the night" because there is a specific adverb of time. But, the answers are "Left and Had Rained"...

The question is, are these "past tenses" really used in the real conversation? Are the expert using these tenses while they're lecturing?

Answer

to begin with after when its simple past.eg/ I was studying when the phone rang. After while past continuous. eg/ I was studying while mum was cooking. Now pay attention to this: eg/ Yesterday I played football BUT eg/ Yesterday at 6 o'clock I was playing football. Also, Yesterday it rained a lot AND yesterday it was raining all night.With HAD+PP, two actions: eg/ By the time I got home, mum had cooked dinner, so first mum had cooked and I when I got home she was not in the kitchen cooking, maybe she was out, we dont care. BUT when I got home mum was cooking it means mum was still in the kitchen cooking.

Answer

To answer your question, assume that anything taught in your English course is standard and common.  We do use these tenses and, once you get used to them, you'll find it impossible to avoid using them. :) If you really try to avoid them, your English will sound clumsy and limited.

Plus, there is so much more grammar beyond past perfect and past continuous... a lot, lot more. Please don't fall into the trap of "I don't understand it, so maybe I don't need it", because that can only sabotage your progress.

Answer

there's no "Past Tense Contrast" term in official English Grammar
and
in the sentences you gave as examples that was just simple "action in the process"
like: "the phone rang when i was watching TV" <- two actions
The ground was wet when I "left

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