PAST TENSES:PAST TENSES:PAST TENSES:PAST TENSES:

Past tensesPast tenses• There are fourfour past tenses in

English:o Past simpleo Past continuouso Past perfect simpleo Past perfect continuous

Past simplePast simple: uses: uses

I got up, switched off the radio, and sat down again.

Why are we using the past simple here?

Past simplePast simple: uses: uses

(CONSECUTIVE) FINISHED ACTIONS IN THE PAST

Past simplePast simple: uses: uses

When I was younger, I went to the park every day.

Why are we using the past simple here?

Past simplePast simple: uses: uses

PAST HABITS

Used to (actions and states) and would (actions) are also possible:

I used to be addicted to chocolate.When I was younger, I would get up at

6.

Past simplePast simple: uses: uses

If he didn’t stay up so late, he wouldn’t feel tired all the time.

Why are we using the past simple here?

Past simplePast simple: uses: uses

IN SECOND CONDITIONAL CLAUSES

Past simplePast simple: uses: uses

Joan said that she wanted to come to the party.

Why are we using the past simple here?

Past simplePast simple: uses: uses

IN REPORTED SPEECH, INSTEAD OF THE PRESENT SIMPLE

Past simplePast simple: uses: uses

I wish I knew where your father was.It’s time you got your own car.

Why are we using the past simple here?

Past simplePast simple: uses: uses

TO EXPRESS WISHES ABOUT THE PRESENT

Past continuousPast continuous: uses: uses

John: I rang you at one but you weren’t in.

Mary: I was. I was having lunch at one.

Why are we using the past continuous here?

Past continuousPast continuous: uses: uses

ACTIONS IN PROGRESS IN THE PAST

Sometimes there’s an idea of interruption:I was working at my office when I got a phone

call.

Past continuousPast continuous: uses: uses

On the dance floor half a dozen couples were throwing themselves around. Most of them were dancing cheek to cheek, if dancing is the word.

Why are we using the past continuous here?

Past continuousPast continuous: uses: uses

BACKGROUND DESCRIPTIONS IN STORIES

Past continuousPast continuous: uses: uses

He said that he was enjoying his work.

Why are we using the past continuous here?

Past continuousPast continuous: uses: uses

IN REPORTED SPEECH INSTEAD OF THE PRESENT CONTINUOUS

Past continuousPast continuous: uses: uses

I wish you weren’t chasing these impossible dreams.

It’s about time we were leaving.

Why are we using the past continuous here?

Past continuousPast continuous: uses: uses

TO EXPRESS WISHES ABOUT ACTIONS IN PROGRESS

Past perfect simplePast perfect simple: uses: uses

The pilot told the police what had happened.

Why are we using the past perfect simple here?

Past perfect simplePast perfect simple: uses: uses

ACTIONS IN THE PAST THAT OCCURRED BEFORE ANOTHER PAST ACTION

If the order of events is clear, we can use the Past simple:

I waited until everybody (had) arrived.

Past perfect simplePast perfect simple: uses: uses

If he had run a bit faster, he could have won.

Why are we using the past perfect simple here?

Past perfect simplePast perfect simple: uses: uses

IN THIRD CONDITIONAL CLAUSES

Past perfect simplePast perfect simple: uses: uses

She said that she had already seen the film.

She said that she had got up late.

Why are we using the past perfect simple here?

Past perfect simplePast perfect simple: uses: uses

IN REPORTED SPEECH, INSTEAD OF THE:

- PRESENT PERFECT SIMPLE - PAST SIMPLE

Past perfect simplePast perfect simple: uses: uses

If only I had known you were coming.

Why are we using the past perfect simple here?

Past perfect simplePast perfect simple: uses: uses

TO EXPRESS WISHES ABOUT THE PAST, USUALLY TO EXPRESS

REGRET

Past perfect continuousPast perfect continuous: : usesuses

The boat had been sailing in calm when a cow fell from the sky.

Why are we using the past perfect continuous here?

Past perfect continuousPast perfect continuous: : usesuses

A LONGER ACTION IN THE PAST THAT OCCURRED BEFORE ANOTHER

PAST ACTION

Past perfect continuousPast perfect continuous: : usesuses

She said that she had been looking for a good location since August.

She said that she had been sleeping.

Why are we using the past perfect continuous here?

Past perfect continuousPast perfect continuous: : usesuses

IN REPORTED SPEECH, INSTEAD OF THE:

- PRESENT PERFECT CONTINUOUS- PAST CONTINUOUS

PAST TENSESPAST TENSESPAST TENSESPAST TENSESCreated by:Created by:

Carmen Luisa Pérez AmaroCarmen Luisa Pérez Amaro