English Course

16.11.2009

Past Simple
Past Continuous
Past Perfect
Past Perfect Continuous
Past Simple

Something which was completed in the past

Example: Yesterday I was at the cinema

past now future

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Past Continuous

1. Interrupted Action in the Past

Example: I was watching TV when Susi called.

(was/were + present participle)

Susi

past now future

Interruption
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Past Continuous

2. Specific Time as an Interruption

Example: Last night at 6 PM (chinese time), I was eating dinner.

(was/were + present participle)

past now future

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Past Continous

3. Parallel Actions

Example: I was watching TV while my mum was sleeping.

(was / were + Present Simple)

past now future

Interruption
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Past Continuous

4. Repetition and Irritation with "Always“

The Past Continuous with words such as "always" or "constantly"
expresses the idea that something irritating or shocking often
happened in the past.

Ceasar was constantly talking. He annoyed everyone.

(was/were + always/constantly + present participle)

Bla bla
blablabla Shut up
Caesar

past now future

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Past Perfect

1. Completed Action Before Something in the Past

You use the Past Perfect to emphasise that one event
happened before another in the past.

Example: I had never seen such a beautiful beach before I went to Kauai

[had + past participle]

past now future

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Past Perfect

2. Duration Before Something in the Past (Non-Continuous Verbs)

We use the Past Perfect to show that something started
in the past and continued up until another action in the past.

Example: We had had that car for ten years before it broke down.
[had + past participle]

past now future

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Past Perfect Continuous

1. Duration Before Something in the Past

We use the Past Perfect Continuous to show that something started in
the past and continued up until another time in the past.

Example: James had been teaching at the university for more than a
year before he left for Asia.
[had been + present participle]

past now future

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Past Perfect Continuous

2. Cause of Something in the Past

Using the Past Perfect Continuous before another action in the past is
a good way to show cause and effect.

Example: Sam gained weight because he had been overeating.

[had been + present participle]

past now future

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 Thank you for your attention

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