He jogged / was jogging in the park today.

[sitifan]

1. He jogged in the park today.
2. He was jogging in the park today.
What's the difference in meaning between the above sentences?

 

[Barque]

It depends on context, and the situation in which you say it. English's a heavily context-dependent language.

The first is a statement of fact. That's what he did today.
A: "Did he get any exercise today?"
B: "Yes, he jogged in the park."

The second sounds like a lead-up to something more.
He was jogging in the park today. He usually just walks around.

Or an answer to a question.
A: "Have you seen him today?"
B: "Yes, he was jogging in the park."

 

[sitifan]

What's the difference in meaning between the sentences below?
3. Did you jog in the park yesterday?
4. Were you jogging in the park yesterday?

 

[Barque]

1. You usually just sit on a bench in the park. But someone told me he saw you jogging there yesterday!

Did you actually jog in the park yesterday?
Were you actually jogging in the park yesterday?

------

2. I think I saw you yesterday in the park.

Were you jogging there yesterday?
-------
Does that explain the difference?

 

[5jj]

#4 attaches more importance to the duration of the jogging.

 

[Barque]

Sitifan, there really isn't any point in making up sentences and asking if they can be used.

You'll probably learn faster if you make up a context and ask what sentence should be used in that context.

As I said above, English depends on context. Some sentences can work in multiple contexts, and some contexts require specific sentences.

 

[Tarheel]

Perhaps:
.
Was that you I saw jogging in the park yesterday? It looked like you. Was it?