Simple Past Tense

Definition
Simple past tense is used to describe actions that occurred in the past, which
were completed at a definite time and are not happening currently.

For example, “I went to school yesterday.”

Simple past tense is used in stories with a definite beginning and end. It’s
often used to talk about what someone did or experienced on a particular day
or to talk about the weather.

Structure/Formula
Subject + main verb(+ed) or second form of verb

Examples
1. Yesterday I went to the market.
2. Did you ride your bike this morning?
3. The bus was late, so I missed the train.
4. She tried to make us feel better, but it didn’t work.
5. He did not know you were kidding when you said that

Past Continuous (Progressive) Tense

Definition
In English, the past continuous tense expresses an action that was in progress
at some point in the past.

For example, ‘I was running’.

The past continuous tense is used to talk about an unfinished period of time.
It can also refer to a specific action that was happening at a specific point in
time.
The past continuous tense is used to talk about an unfinished period of time.
It can also refer to a specific action that was happening at a specific point in
time.

In the past continuous tense, “was” or “were” is used with an -ing verb to show
that something was happening.

Structure/Formula
Subject + was/were + present participle

Examples
He was telling us stories.

1. He was telling a story when we came in.

2. When we came in, he was telling a story.
3. I was bowling when he walked in.
4. While we were eating dinner, he went outside to play soccer with his
friends.
5. He was speaking to you.

Past Perfect Tense

Definition
The past perfect tense uses had and a past participle for the first person, third
person singular, and third person plural subjects.

It is also used to describe an action that was completed at some point in the
past. It is often used when talking about things that happened before another
event in the past.

Structure/Formula
Subject + had + past participle

Examples
1. I had finished all my homework.
 2. Jack had traveled all over Europe by the age of 18.
3. Jill had not visited Rome by the time she turned 30.
4. The dog had slept for 10 minutes.
5. Had she studied for two hours?

Past Perfect Continuous Tens

In the past continuous tense, “was” or “were” is used with an -ing verb to show
that something was happening.

Definition
The past perfect continuous tense is a verb tense that is used to express an
action that started in the past and continued up until another point in the
past.

For example, “She had been talking for an hour when I arrived.”

Structure/Formula
Subject + had been + present participle + time reference

Examples
1. Betty Ann had been working for many hours that day.
2. I had been waiting there since ten o’clock when she entered the room.
3. Before they left, my friends had been travelling for two days in the car.
4. She had been working for 3 hours before her friend phoned her.
5. I had been painting the house when the rain stopped.