PAST TENSE

Subject: English Language

4th meeting

1. PAST SIMPLE TENSE

We use the Past Simple to talk about

actions that happened at a specific time in
the past. The actions can be short or long.
There can be a few actions happening one
ofter another.

1. PAST SIMPLE TENSE

Basic Form

I/you/we/they/He/she/it +
Verb II

1. PAST SIMPLE TENSE

The 3 uses of the Past Simple tense:

1. Events in the past that are now

finished - express actions that happened
at a specific time in the past. The actions
can be short or long.
ex:
John cut his finger last week. short
I went to college 3 years ago. long

1. PAST SIMPLE TENSE

2. Situation in the past
ex:
I lived in New York for 10 years
(I don't live there anymore).
3. A series of actions in the past - a few
actions in the past happening one after another.
ex: He entered a room, lit a cigarette and smiled
at
the guests.

2. PAST CONTINUOUS
The past continuous tense is used in sentence
with two past actions to show that while one
action was going on, another action occured.
ex. While I was taking a bath, the telephone
rang.

2. PAST CONTINUOUS
Basic Form

I/you/we/they
+ WERE + VERB (ING
FORM)
He/she/it
+ WAS + VERB (ING FORM)

2. PAST CONTINUOUS
The use of the tense:
Duration in the past
Interrupted actions in progress
Action in progress at the same time in the past
Irritation
Polite question

2. PAST CONTINUOUS
1. Duration in the past - talk about
actions or situations that lasted for
some time in the past, and whose
duration time is unknown or
unimportant
ex: I was watching TV yesterday in the
evening.
She was sleeping on the couch.
The dog was barking.

2. PAST CONTINUOUS
2. Interrupted actions in progress - when one
action in progress is interruped by another action
in the past. The Past simple is used in such
sentences. When or while are usually used to
link these two sentences.

I was talking with Budi when the telephone rang.

While Mulia was playing tennis, the plane
crashed.
When Ida was painting windows, it started
raining.

2. PAST CONTINUOUS
3. Actions in progress at the same time talk about two or more activities happening
at the same. When or while are usually
used to link these two sentences.
I was watching TV and Barbara was reading a
book.
The family was eating the dinner and talking.
When Bob was painting windows, Mary was
working in the kitchen.

2. PAST CONTINUOUS
4. Polite questions - If we want to ask a
polite question, we can use the Past
Continuous.
ex:

I was wondering if you could open the

window.
I was thinking you might help me with this
problem.

2. PAST CONTINUOUS
5. Irritation - Remember that you can
also express irritation over somebody or
something in the past.
ex
She was always coming late for dinner!

2. PAST CONTINUOUS
To form a sentence in the Past Continuous,
you need:
The proper conjugation of the auxiliary
verb "to be" in the past form
The Present Participle of your verb (verb
+ ing)

3. PAST PERFECT
The past perfect tense is used in
sentences with two past actions to
show that one of the actions was
completed before the other action.
ex. I had written the letter before you
came home.

3. PAST PERFECT
Basic Form

I/you/we they +
He/she/it
PARTICIPLE

HAD + PAST PARTICIPLE

+
HAD + PAST

3. PAST PERFECT
The use of the tense
Completed action before another action
in the past
Third conditional sentences
Reported speech
Dissatisfaction with the past

3. PAST PERFECT
1. Completed action before another
action in the past - to emphasize that
one action in the past happened before
another action in the past.
ex:
I had finished my homework before I
went playing football.
John had never been to London before we
went there last year.

3. PAST PERFECT
2. Third conditional - Use the Past Perfect
with third conditional sentences
(hypothetical past)
ex:
If we had gone by taxi, we wouldn't have
been late.
If Yetty had studied harder, she would
have passed the exam.

3. PAST PERFECT
3. Reported speech - use the Past
Perfect with sentences in reported
speech.
ex:
Runi said she had already seen this film.
He asked if I had read Harry Potter.

3. PAST PERFECT
4. Dissatisfaction with the Past - we
often use the Past Perfect to show our
dissatisfaction with the past. Such
sentences typically start with "I wish ..." or
"If only ...".
ex:
I wish I had taken more food. I'm hungry
now.
If only I had taken more food. I'm hungry
now.

4. PAST PERFECT
CONTINUOUS
Basic Form

I/you we/they
FORM)
He/she/it
FORM)

+ HAD BEEN + VERB (ING

+ HAD BEEN + VERB (ING

4. PAST PERFECT
CONTINUOUS
The past perfect continuous tense is used in
sentences with two past actions to
emphasize the fact that the first action had
been continuous before the second action
took place.
They had been talking on the phone for
several minutes when they were suddenly
cut off.

4. PAST PERFECT
CONTINUOUS
The other uses of the tense:
Duration of a past action up to a certain
point in the past
Showing cause of an action or situation
Third conditional sentences
Reported speech

4. PAST PERFECT
CONTINUOUS
1. Duration of a past action up to a
certain point in the past - to express
actions or situations that were in
progress before some other actions or
situations.

The boys had been quarreling for half an

hour when we arrived home.
I had been dating Angelina for 3 years
before we got married.

4. PAST PERFECT
CONTINUOUS
2. Showing Cause - Use this tense to show
cause of an action or situation in the past.
John was in a detention because he had
been misbehaving.
The road was wet because it had been
raining.
I had to go on a diet because I had been
eating too much sugar.
Joko got sunburnt because he had been lying
in the sun too long.

4. PAST PERFECT
CONTINUOUS
3. Third Conditional - Remember that
this tense is also used in third
conditional sentences.

If it hadn't been raining, we would have

gone to the park.

4. PAST PERFECT
CONTINUOUS
4. Reported Speech - This tense also
appears in Reported speech.

She said she knew Charlie had been

lying to her.

Good luck

Thank you.