1. PAST TENSES:

2. Past tenses There are four past tenses in English: Past simple
Past continuous
Past perfect simple
Past perfect continuous
Preguntar a los alumnos qué tiempos hay, antes de mostrarlos.

3. Past simple: uses
I got up, switched off the radio, and sat down again.
Why are we using the past simple here?

4. (CONSECUTIVE) FINISHED ACTIONS IN THE PAST
Past simple: uses
(CONSECUTIVE) FINISHED ACTIONS IN THE PAST

5. Past simple: uses When I was younger, I went to the park every day.
Why are we using the past simple here?

6. Past simple: 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.

7. Past simple: 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?

8. IN SECOND CONDITIONAL CLAUSES
Past simple: uses
IN SECOND CONDITIONAL CLAUSES

9. Past simple: uses Joan said that she wanted to come to the party.
Why are we using the past simple here?

10. IN REPORTED SPEECH, INSTEAD OF THE PRESENT SIMPLE
Past simple: uses
IN REPORTED SPEECH, INSTEAD OF THE PRESENT SIMPLE

11. Past simple: 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?

12. TO EXPRESS WISHES ABOUT THE PRESENT
Past simple: uses
TO EXPRESS WISHES ABOUT THE PRESENT

13. Past continuous: 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?

14. Past continuous: 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.

15. Past continuous: 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?

16. BACKGROUND DESCRIPTIONS IN STORIES
Past continuous: uses
BACKGROUND DESCRIPTIONS IN STORIES

17. Past continuous: uses He said that he was enjoying his work.
Why are we using the past continuous here?

18. IN REPORTED SPEECH INSTEAD OF THE PRESENT CONTINUOUS
Past continuous: uses
IN REPORTED SPEECH INSTEAD OF THE PRESENT CONTINUOUS

19. Past continuous: 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?

20. TO EXPRESS WISHES ABOUT ACTIONS IN PROGRESS
Past continuous: uses
TO EXPRESS WISHES ABOUT ACTIONS IN PROGRESS

21. Past perfect simple: uses
The pilot told the police what had happened.
Why are we using the past perfect simple here?

22. Past perfect simple: 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.

23. Past perfect simple: uses
If he had run a bit faster, he could have won.
Why are we using the past perfect simple here?

24. Past perfect simple: uses
IN THIRD CONDITIONAL CLAUSES

25. Past perfect simple: 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?

26. Past perfect simple: uses
IN REPORTED SPEECH, INSTEAD OF THE:
PRESENT PERFECT SIMPLE
PAST SIMPLE

27. Past perfect simple: uses
If only I had known you were coming.
Why are we using the past perfect simple here?

28. Past perfect simple: uses
TO EXPRESS WISHES ABOUT THE PAST, USUALLY TO EXPRESS REGRET

29. Past perfect continuous: uses
The boat had been sailing in calm when a cow fell from the sky.
Why are we using the past perfect continuous here?

30. Past perfect continuous: uses
A LONGER ACTION IN THE PAST THAT OCCURRED BEFORE ANOTHER PAST ACTION

31. Past perfect continuous: uses
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?

32. Past perfect continuous: uses
IN REPORTED SPEECH, INSTEAD OF THE:
PRESENT PERFECT CONTINUOUS
PAST CONTINUOUS

33. Created by: Carmen Luisa Pérez Amaro
PAST TENSES
Created by:
Carmen Luisa Pérez Amaro