NARRATIVE TENSES

narrative tenses in english

Talking about past anecdotes, stories, experiences...

tenses

1. Past simple

3. Past perfect

4. Past perfect continuous

2. Past continuous

PAST SIMPLE

We use the past simple to talk about consecutive actions or situations of the past.

I finished my University degree in 2005, and then, I moved to the United States to work.

PAST CONTINUOUS

We use the past continuous:

I was packing my suitcase when my friends came to say goodbye. I was talking to them when the taxi arrived.

1. To describe a longer continuous past action or situation which was in progress when another action happened.

2. To describe an action that was not complete at a past time.

At lunchtime, I was still waiting for the plane to leave.At 17.00h, I was still shopping around to kill time.

Structure

pAST PERFECT

SUBJECT + HAD + PAST PARTICIPLE

Example

When do we use it?

I had already bought a lot of magazines when they announced that the passengers could get in the plane.

We use the past perfect to talk about the 'earlier past', that is, things which happened before the main event(s).

Structure

pAST PERFECT continuous

SUBJECT + HAD + BEEN + Ving

Example

When do we use it?

While waiting, I had been texting my family when I met a colleague from University.

We use the past perfect continuous to talk about longer continuous actions or situations that started before the main events happened and continued up to that point.

PAST PERFECT

PAST PERFECT CONTINUOUS

* It emphasizes the completion of the activity.* It can be used with dynamic or stative verbs.

* It's only used with action verbs. * It emphasizes the duration of the activity.

VS

STRUCTURE:Subject + had + been + Ving

STRUCTURE:Subject + had +past participle

EXAMPLES:I had been reading my magazines for a while when I took seat. I had been speaking with my boss before the plane took off.

EXAMPLES:I had eaten my sandwich before I took my bag. I had already heard 20 announcements before it was my turn.

timeline

HOW ARE THE NARRATIVE TENSES USED IN THE PAST?

PRESENT TIME

PAST PERFECT

PAST SIMPLE

PAST CONTINUOUS

PAST PAST PERFECT CONTINUOUS

Now you're ready to tell your stories!

are you ready?