Past Forms

3. Past Simple

1. Past actions which happened one after the other.

She sealed the letter, put a stamp on it and posted it.

2. Past habit or state.

He used togo and Iwent to school on foot.

3. Complete action or event which happened at a stated past time.

She calledan hour ago.

4. Action which happened at the definite past time though the time is not mentioned. This action isn’t connected with the present.

Shakespeare wrotea lot of plays.

4. Past Continuous

1. Action in the middle of happening at a stated past time.

He was playingtennis at 2.30 yesterday.

2. Past action in progress interrupted by another past action. The longer action is in the Past Continuous. The shorter action is in the Past Simple.

While I was gettingdressed the bell rang.

3. Two or more simultaneous Past actions.

While I was sunbathing,Timwas swimming.

4. Background description to events in a story.

She was flyingto Paris.

The sun was shining.

Past Perfect

1. Past action which occurred before another action or before a stated past time.

He had leftby the time I got there (or by 8.15).

2. Complete past action which had visible results in the past.

She was sad because she had failedthe exam.

3. The Past Perfect is the past equivalent of the Present Perfect.

He can’t find his watch.

Hehas lostit. He couldn’t find his watch. Hehad lostit.

Past Perfect Continuous

1. Action continuing over a period up to a specific time in the past.

She had been working as aclerk for 10 yearsbefore she resigned.

2. Past action of certain duration which had visible results in the past.

They were wet because they had been walkingin the rain

3. The Past Perfect Continuous is the equivalent of the Present Perfect Continuous.

She is going to the doctor. Her leg has been aching for two days. She went to the doctor. Her leghad been achingfor two days.

Time expressions used with:

Past Simple: yesterday, last week, ago, then, just now, when, in 1967 etc.

Past Continuous : while, when, as etc.

Past Perfect: for, since, already, after, just, never, yet., before, by, by the time

Past Perfect Continuous: for, since, how long, before, until etc.

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