PAST TENSES:PAST TENSES:PAST TENSES:PAST TENSES:
Past tensesPast tenses• There are fourfour past tenses in
English:o Past simpleo Past continuouso Past perfect simpleo Past perfect continuous
Past simplePast simple: uses: uses
I got up, switched off the radio, and sat down again.
Why are we using the past simple here?
Past simplePast simple: uses: uses
(CONSECUTIVE) FINISHED ACTIONS IN THE PAST
Past simplePast simple: uses: uses
When I was younger, I went to the park every day.
Why are we using the past simple here?
Past simplePast simple: uses: uses
PAST HABITS
Used to (actions and states) and would (actions) are also possible:
I used to be addicted to chocolate.When I was younger, I would get up at
6.
Past simplePast simple: uses: uses
If he didn’t stay up so late, he wouldn’t feel tired all the time.
Why are we using the past simple here?
Past simplePast simple: uses: uses
IN SECOND CONDITIONAL CLAUSES
Past simplePast simple: uses: uses
Joan said that she wanted to come to the party.
Why are we using the past simple here?
Past simplePast simple: uses: uses
IN REPORTED SPEECH, INSTEAD OF THE PRESENT SIMPLE
Past simplePast simple: uses: uses
I wish I knew where your father was.It’s time you got your own car.
Why are we using the past simple here?
Past simplePast simple: uses: uses
TO EXPRESS WISHES ABOUT THE PRESENT
Past continuousPast continuous: uses: uses
John: I rang you at one but you weren’t in.
Mary: I was. I was having lunch at one.
Why are we using the past continuous here?
Past continuousPast continuous: uses: uses
ACTIONS IN PROGRESS IN THE PAST
Sometimes there’s an idea of interruption:I was working at my office when I got a phone
call.
Past continuousPast continuous: uses: uses
On the dance floor half a dozen couples were throwing themselves around. Most of them were dancing cheek to cheek, if dancing is the word.
Why are we using the past continuous here?
Past continuousPast continuous: uses: uses
BACKGROUND DESCRIPTIONS IN STORIES
Past continuousPast continuous: uses: uses
He said that he was enjoying his work.
Why are we using the past continuous here?
Past continuousPast continuous: uses: uses
IN REPORTED SPEECH INSTEAD OF THE PRESENT CONTINUOUS
Past continuousPast continuous: uses: uses
I wish you weren’t chasing these impossible dreams.
It’s about time we were leaving.
Why are we using the past continuous here?
Past continuousPast continuous: uses: uses
TO EXPRESS WISHES ABOUT ACTIONS IN PROGRESS
Past perfect simplePast perfect simple: uses: uses
The pilot told the police what had happened.
Why are we using the past perfect simple here?
Past perfect simplePast perfect simple: uses: uses
ACTIONS IN THE PAST THAT OCCURRED BEFORE ANOTHER PAST ACTION
If the order of events is clear, we can use the Past simple:
I waited until everybody (had) arrived.
Past perfect simplePast perfect simple: uses: uses
If he had run a bit faster, he could have won.
Why are we using the past perfect simple here?
Past perfect simplePast perfect simple: uses: uses
IN THIRD CONDITIONAL CLAUSES
Past perfect simplePast perfect simple: uses: uses
She said that she had already seen the film.
She said that she had got up late.
Why are we using the past perfect simple here?
Past perfect simplePast perfect simple: uses: uses
IN REPORTED SPEECH, INSTEAD OF THE:
- PRESENT PERFECT SIMPLE - PAST SIMPLE
Past perfect simplePast perfect simple: uses: uses
If only I had known you were coming.
Why are we using the past perfect simple here?
Past perfect simplePast perfect simple: uses: uses
TO EXPRESS WISHES ABOUT THE PAST, USUALLY TO EXPRESS
REGRET
Past perfect continuousPast perfect continuous: : usesuses
The boat had been sailing in calm when a cow fell from the sky.
Why are we using the past perfect continuous here?
Past perfect continuousPast perfect continuous: : usesuses
A LONGER ACTION IN THE PAST THAT OCCURRED BEFORE ANOTHER
PAST ACTION
Past perfect continuousPast perfect continuous: : usesuses
She said that she had been looking for a good location since August.
She said that she had been sleeping.
Why are we using the past perfect continuous here?
Past perfect continuousPast perfect continuous: : usesuses
IN REPORTED SPEECH, INSTEAD OF THE:
- PRESENT PERFECT CONTINUOUS- PAST CONTINUOUS
PAST TENSESPAST TENSESPAST TENSESPAST TENSESCreated by:Created by:
Carmen Luisa Pérez AmaroCarmen Luisa Pérez Amaro