Past Tenses
Past Simple
1. We use past simple for single or repeated finished events in the past.
Structure: Past Simple
Past Continuous
1. For actions in progress.
2. for interrupted actions in the past.
3. with always to express irritation or criticism.
4. for failed plans and unfulfilled expectations.
Structure: Past Continuous
Past Perfect S.
1. We use past perfect simple for actions, events and situations that happened before another past action.
Structure: Past Perfect S.
Past Perfect Continuous
1. We use past perfect continuous for an action that was happening over a period of time before another action in the past.
Structure: Past Perfect C.
Time Expressions
1. We can use as soon as, when / before, by the time, after with the past simple, past perfect and past perfect continuous.
Used to
1. For past situations.
Would
1. For past habits or activities.
E.g. 1. They had been walking for over an hour when they arrived.
E.g. By the time we arrived, the plane had already taken off.
E.g. We went to Paris two years ago.
Note the difference between present perfect and past simple: I've made four calls this morning (it is still morning) I made four calls this morning (it is now later in the day)
E.g. 1. They would go horse-riding every day.
E.g. 1. As soon as they had finished breakfast, they went to the beach. 2. After Sue had checked her phone, she switched it off. 3. By the time they booked the tickets, the price had gone up a lot.
We can also use expressions such as be due to, be going to (future in the past), be thinking of (+ - ing), be about to (+ infinitive)
1. We were going to watch the live show, but then it was cancelled. 2. Tony was due to arrive at around 6 p.m. 3. I was thinking of planning a trip to the seaside for the weekend. 4. Jake was about to leave when he bumped into an old friend.
E.g. At 6 p.m last night, I was playing basketball with my friends.
E.g. Claire was hoping to pass her driving test, but she failed.
E.g. As a child, he was always getting into trouble at school.
E.g. 1. Her family used to live in a large house in the country.
Note: get / be used to + -ing are different form that refer to a present or past situation. 1. Stella works from home so she isn't used to getting up early. 2. Jon eventually got used to living in a different country.
E.g. I was having a cup of coffee when my friends rang.