Choosing the Correct Verb Tense: Past Tenses

Choosing the correct past tense is tricky, too! How do you choose the right tense when you talk about the past?

Use signals!

The past tenses have signals, too!

Signals for the Simple Past Tense include… time phrase + ago (three years ago, five minutes ago, etc.) In + year (in 2005) Words and phrases like yesterday, last week/night/month/year, etc. When (While)

When you see, hear, say, or write these words in a sentence, they are describing an action that was completed at a specific time in the past. The correct tense for completed actions is simple past tense!

For example… I moved to Seattle in 2007. She walked her dog last night. Two years ago, he went to London.

What about the Past Progressive Tense? (Does it have signals, too?)

YES!

The most frequent signal for the past progressive tense is “while The most frequent signal for the past progressive tense is “while.” For example: While he was listening to the teacher, he was also looking at the powerpoint. While he was writing notes, his pencil point broke.

When you see, hear, say, or write “while” in a sentence, it is usually describing actions that were in progress at a time in the past. The correct tense for actions in progress in the past is the past progressive tense!

But did you notice… While he was listening to the teacher, he was also looking at the powerpoint. How many verbs are in this sentence? What tense is each verb in? What kind of action is each verb describing?

But did you notice… While he was writing notes, his pencil point broke. How many verbs are in this sentence? What tense is each verb in? What kind of action is each verb describing?

This is tricky!!! Combine past progressive verbs when you are talking about two (longer) actions that were in progress at the same time in the past. Combine simple past and past progressive verbs when you are talking about a short action (past) that interrupted a longer action (progressive) in the past.

Another tricky thing: The time of the “when” clauses can change! Always remember to think about the meaning of the sentence. When he opened the door, the teacher was talking. (Which action started first? How do you know?) The teacher started to talk when the student opened the door.

Learning about time signals will help you choose the correct tense Learning about time signals will help you choose the correct tense. Good luck!