Past Tenses - Cours terminal Anglais

Use

Tense

To indicate that smth happened at a specific time in the past

Past Simple

To talk about a temporary situation that existed at or around a particular time in the past.

To talk about situations that existed for a period of time in the past, but not now.

To talk about a past situation or activity that took place before another past situation or activity, or before a particular time in the past.

To indicate that we are interested in when a situation began rather than how long it has been going on for.

To talk about two past actions or events that went on over the same period of time. 

To talk about two or more past completed events that followed each other.

To talk about repeated actions or events in the past.

To say what we wanted, hoped to do but didn’t.

Use

Examples

To indicate that smth happened at a specific time in the past

f)

1. When my dad was younger, he played football for the local team.

To talk about a temporary situation that existed at or around a particular time in the past.

1. I had wanted to see my friends before I left Paris, but they were on holidays.

To talk about situations that existed for a period of time in the past, but not now.

1. I was watching TV while mom was cooking.

To talk about a past situation or activity that took place before another past situation or activity, or before a particular time in the past.

1. He was working in a coffee shop during the summer of 1999.

To indicate that we are interested in when a situation began rather than how long it has been going on for.

1. They visited their grandparents three times last month.

To talk about two past actions or events that went on over the same period of time. 

1. He left for Paris last week.

To talk about two or more past completed events that followed each other.

1. He had already read the book when the film was released.

To talk about repeated actions or events in the past.

1. When did you meet him?

To say what we wanted, hoped, expected, meant to do/thought about doing but didn’t.

1. She left the room when he came in.