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Unit 1. Grammar. Past tenses review. FORMACIÓN
CALIDAD
DE

Past simple

We use Past Simple to describe actions that happened at a specific time in the past.
I felt so thirsty that I drank a whole bottle of water.

Actions that are already finished even though they lasted in time.
I studied History from 2005 to 2009.

Actions which happened one after the other.

I got home, opened the fridge, took some onions from the fridge….

Past Continuous

We use Past Continuous to describe actions:

Which started before and continued UNTIL OR AFTER an event in the past.
I was driving home when the police stopped me (I could continue driving after that or
not, but we must use Past continuous to express both situations)

Which were temporary at a time in the past

I was staying with my aunt then, while my parents were away.

We should use Past Simple to describe permanent situations

I lived in Italy when I was a child (not I was living)

Something that happened frequently

He was always singing.
We don´t usually use the continuous with state verbs (believe, disagree, hate, know,
like, love…)
 C/ Ciudad Dolores Hidalgo, 20, 1ªpta.
28931 Móstoles (Madrid)
T.: 91 613 88 59
info@answeridiomas.com

www.ANSWERIDIOMAS.com FORMALIDAD
Present Perfect FORMACIÓN DE
CALIDAD

We use the Present Perfect to describe actions:

Which happened at an unspecified time in the past up to now.
He has written many books
Which emphasizes on the result in the present
I have just lost my keys (they are not here now)
Which typically go with adverbs that connect past to the present
Just, already, lately, so far, up to now, yet…
We use Present perfect Continuous to:
Emphasize the activity
I´ve been listening to music all day
Say how long an activity has been happening
I´ve been studying for three hours

Past Perfect

We use the Past Perfect to:

Talk about an action which took place before another action, BOTH IN THE PAST.
When I got home they had already eaten.

We use the Past Perfect Continuous to:

Focus on the length of time:
I was late because I had been working for nine hours.

Would and Use to

We use both tenses to talk about things which happened repeatedly in the past but
don´t happen now.
My mother used to/ would read to me in bed when I was a kid.

We ONLY use USED TO to talk about states. (not would)

There used to be a shop right here.