Past Simple Tense. Use #3: Duration in the Past
The
past simple can be used with a duration, which starts and stops in the past. A
duration is a longer action often indicated by expressions such
as: for two years, for five minutes, all day, all year, etc.
Example: They sat at the beach all day. –Они сидели на пляже весь день.
Example: We talked on the phone for thirty minutes. –Мы разговаривали по телефону тридцать минут.