Narrative TENSES

NARRATIVE TENSES

3º ESO

sTART

past simple

• AFF: Subject + verb (-ed)/2nd column irregular verbs + CC
• NEG: Subject + didn´t (did not)+ base form + CC
• INT: Did + subject + base form + CC ?

We use past simple to talk about finished actions or states.I enjoyed the film (WHEN?) The coat didn't fit mePast simple shows that the action occured at a certain moment and then was completed.We listened to some new CDs yesterday afternoon.Past simple is also used to describe habitual actions in the past.Every day we got up early and went to the beach.

Rewrite the sentences according to the instructions given

1. I enjoyed the concert (negative) ...................................
2. Sue liked the party (question) ...................................
3. You ate the bread (question) ...................................
4. Did Tom spend a lot ?(affirmative) ...................................
5. I felt well yesterday (negative) ...................................
6. Ann didn't buy a car (affirmative) ...................................

Past continuous

• AFF: Subjet + WAS/WERE + verb -ING + cc
• NEG: Subject + WASN'T/WEREN'T + verb -ING + cc
• INT: WAS/WERE + Subject + VERB -ING + cc?

The past continuous is used to describe a situation in progress in the past. This is often contrasted with a sudden event in the past simple (When a longer action is interrupted by a shorter one: I was having my lunch when Ruth phoned. While I was waiting for the bus, I met KaremThe past continuous can be used to describe several situations in progress, happening at the same time.While James was cooking, David was phoning a friend. The airport was full of people. Some were sleeping, some were shopping, others were reading.When narrating, we usually use it to describe the context surrounding the action.The birds were singing and the sun was shining . I got up feeling good.

Past continuous

• AFF: Subjet + WAS/WERE + verb -ING + cc
• NEG: Subject + WASN'T/WEREN'T + verb -ING + cc
• INT: WAS/WERE + Subject + VERB -ING + cc?

The past continuous is used to describe a situation in progress in the past. This is often contrasted with a sudden event in the past simple (When a longer action is interrupted by a shorter one: I was having my lunch when Ruth phoned. While I was waiting for the bus, I met KaremThe past continuous can be used to describe several situations in progress, happening at the same time.While James was cooking, David was phoning a friend. The airport was full of people. Some were sleeping, some were shopping, others were reading.When narrating, we usually use it to describe the context surrounding the action.The birds were singing and the sun was shining . I got up feeling good.

Put each verb in brackets into either past simple or past continuous

1. When Harry (wake up) ......................, we (tell) ....................... him the news.
2. Everyone (wait) ............................. for the concert to begin when a message (arrive).............................
3. Charlotte (want) .............................. a relaxing holiday, so she (choose) ............................. to stay on a small island.
4. When Roberto (study) .......................... in America, his parents (phone) ............................. him every week.
5. I (find) .................................... my pen while I (look for) ................................ my bag.
6. Ann (watch) ............................. a film on television when Julie (arrive) .................................................

PAST PERFECT SIMPLE

• AFF: Subject + HAD + past participle (ED/3rd column) + cc
• NEG: Subject + HAD NOT/ HADN'T + past participle + cc
• INT: HAD + Subject + past participle + CC?

The past perfect is used to show clearly that one past event happened BEFORE another past event. We use past perfect for the earlier event.Sue left at 5 pm - We arrived at her house at 8:30 pm > When we arrived at Sue's house, she had left. The past perfect is often used with verbs of thinking like THINK, KNOW, BE SURE, REALIZE, REMEMBER, SUSPECT, UNDERSTAND, ETC.I thought I'd seen the film before, but I hadn't.David knew he'd seen her somwhere before

PAST PERFECT continuous

• AFF: Subject + HAD + BEEN + verb(ing) + cc
• NEG: Subject + HAD NOT/ HADN'T + BEEN + verb(ing)
• INT: HAD + Subject + BEEN + verb(ing)?

To talk about events which started before a time in the past and which finished, but where the effects or results were still important at a point in the past: It had been raining and the ground was still wet. LOOK: The past perfect continuous focuses on the activity of working on the essays up to a particular time in the past. It was so difficult to get up last Monday for school. I had been working on my essays the night before and I was very tired.

PAST PERFECT SIMPLE OR continuous?

We use the past perfect simple with action verbs to emphasise the completion of an event. We use the past perfect continuous to show that an event or action in the past was still continuing. The continuous form emphasises the duration of the action.

Compare:

The builders had put up the scaffolding around the house. I’d waited an hour for the bus.

The builders had been putting up the scaffolding when the roof fell in. I’d been waiting an hour for the bus.

Put each verb given into the past simple or past perfect. More than one answer may be possible.

The police suspected that Brian (a) ......................... (break) the window at his house because he (b) ......................... (want) to make them think that a burglar (c) ............................ (steal) his valuable stamp collection. They (d) ............................. (think) that Brian (e) ............................... (do) this because he (f) ..............................(need) the money. However, they (g) ................................ (not know) that Brian (h) ................................... (fly) to Brazil the week before, and (i) .................................. (be) abroad when the burglary (j) ........................... (take place).

Time Expressions

• With the past simple: ago, in September/May/Winter/etc, for three years, last week, at six...
• With the past continuous:

We can use WHEN or WHILE with the past continuous to mean 'during the time that' : While we were waiting for the train, it started to rain.But if we mean 'at that time' then we only use WHEN with the past simple:She was very happy when she got her exam results

Past Habits

• They used to/would come to my house after school.
• She always came to my house after school. (past simple)
• She always used to be sad
• She would always argue with her mum.

1. Do not use WOULD for STATES just for actions .
2. Use an adverb of frequency with past simple.
3. Adverbs of frequency always before USED TO or main verb.
4. Never use WOULDN'T for past habits, use DIDN'T USE TO.