The Past Indefinite is used to denote:

1. Complete actions or events which happened at a stated past time: She called me an hour ago.

2. past habits or states: He used to go/went to school on foot.

3. past actions which happened one after the other: She sealed the letter, put a stamp on it and posted it.

4. actions which happened at a definite past time although the time is not mentioned. This action is not connected with the present: Shakespeare wrote a lot of plays.

The followingtime expressions can be used with the Past Indefinite: yesterday, the day before yesterday, last week, (how long) ago, then, the other day, just now, when, in 1999, etc.

E X E R C I S E S

2.1. Explain the use of the Past Indefinite forms. Translate into Russian.

1. The first Olympics took place in Athens more than a hundred years ago.

2. I got up, switched off the radio, and sat down again.

3. They were here just now.

4. Robert used to play football when he was younger, but he stopped playing some years ago.

5. Where did you spend your last weekend?

6. How long did he sleep last night? – He slept for about four hours. He had a toothache.

7. It didn't snow much the other day.

8. He was very busy when I phoned him the day before yesterday.

9. Did the old man use to have a walk before going to bed?

10. The other day she got acquainted with a famous actor.

2.2. Transform into negative and interrogative forms.

(A)

1. We enjoyed the performance last night.

2. They used to go to the country every Sunday.

3. He left for London just now.

4. He liked to read detective stories when he was a schoolboy.

5. The other day Sam bought a new car.

6. It rained heavily yesterday.

7. Two years ago John spent a fortnight in Manchester.

8. The Titanic hit an iceberg many years ago.

9. He gave up smoking a year ago.

10. Last year she finished school and went to work.

11. Robert and Kate got married the other day.

12. He used to be a good football-player in his childhood.

13. Every month she went to visit her parents.

14. The other day he sold his flat and bought a cottage.

15. She believed that he was right.

(B)

1. They were friends in their childhood.

2. He had a sleepless night yesterday.

3. He was a famous writer when I met him.

4. She was cheerful and full of energy in those days.

5. The other day my friend was in London. He had a good time there.

6. Terry was ill four days ago. He had the flu.

7. We were glad to see them again.

8. They had three English lessons last week.

9. At school I was good at Chemistry.

10. Usually he had a hot shower before he went to bed.

11. You were fond of sports when you were a student.

12. There were many beautiful flowers in the garden.

13. There was a shop in front of our house long time ago.

14. When the taxi arrived, everything was ready for the trip.

15. He had a nice job last year. He was pleased with it.

2.3. Ask your fellow-student:

1. whether it rained last Wednesday;

2. when they were in the south last;

3. how long Mr Blade lived in London;

4. what he/she did two years ago;

5. when Ann left school and what she did afterwards;

6. if he/she had much work to do yesterday;

7. why he/she was so upset the other day;

8. how many letters there were on the table;

9. why he/she made up his/her mind to become a lawyer;

10. how often he/she wrote letters to his/her parents when he/she was abroad;

11. whom he/she met just now;

12. how he/she used to spend his/her leisure time when he/she was a student;

13. when he/she had dinner;

14. why he/she didn't take part in the conference;

15. who he/she got acquainted with at the party.