PAST TENSES

1. PAST SIMPLE

2. PAST CONTINUOUS

3. PAST PERFECT
 1. PAST SIMPLE

WE USE THE PAST SIMPLE FOR:

- an action that occurred at a definite time (stated or TIME EXPRESSIONS:

Yesterday, then, when,
implied) in the past.

e.g.: The football organisation fired the team's How long ago...?, last

coach yesterday. night/week/

- actions that happened immediately after one another in the month/year/

past. Friday/October, etc.;
e.g.: He opened the window and shouted to
three days/weeks,
his friend.
etc.;
- habits or states which are now finished.
ago, in 1999, etc.
e.g.: My uncle worked in a supermarket when he

was younger.
 2. PAST CONTINUOUS
WE USE THE PAST CONTINUOUS (was/were + verb -ing) FOR:

- an action which was in progress when another action interrupted it.

e.g.: We were watching the tennis match when the phone rang.

- two or more simultaneous actions in the past.

e.g.: I was writing out the invitations while Philip was addressing

the envelopes.

- an action which was in progress at a stated time in the past, we don't mention

when the action started or finished.

e.g.: At 7 o'clock last night, I was working out at the gym.

- to describe the atmosphere or setting and to give background

information to a story.e.g.: A light breeze was blowing and the sun. was shining.

TIME EXPRESSIONS:
While, when, as, all morning/evening/day/week, etc.
 3. PAST PERFECT

WE USE THE PAST PERFECT (had + past participle) FOR:

- an action which happened before another past action or TIME EXPRESSIONS:

Before,
before a stated time in the past.
after,
e.g.: Judy had finished her homework by seven

o'clock. already, just, for,

- an action which finished in the past and whose result was visible since, till/until,
at a later point in the past. when,
e.g.: He had heard the news a few days earlier and by the time,
he was still in shock.
never, etc.
- a general situation in the past.

e.g.: Everyone had been pleasant in the beginning.