Past Time

Simple
Past
Use the Simple Past to describe an action:
at a general time in the past
at a very specific time in the
past
 General Time in the Past
During my childhood, our family
traveled a lot.

Our first pet brought us lots of

happiness.
Very Specific Time in the Past
Tom Hanks won an Oscar in 1994.

I visited seven cities in Europe

seven years ago.
 (+) SUBJ. + Past Form
(-) SUBJ. + didn't + Base Form
 Past
Progressive
 Use the Past Progressive to describe an
action that was in progress (not finished)
at a very specific time in the past.
At 9pm yesterday, I was watching a
movie at the theater.
in progress
NOW
8pm 10pm
9pm
 We can also use the Past Progressive to
describe an action in progress that was
interrupted by another action in the past.
I was watching a movie when Paul called.
called

NOW
watching
SUBJ. + was/were + V-ing
Present
Perfect
 Use the Present Perfect to
describe a completed action at
an indefinite time in the past.
 Jim has finished the project.

NOW
???
no time reference
 Jim finished the project last week.

NOW
last week
Use the Simple Past if you mention specific time.
SUBJ. + HAVE/HAS + Past Part.
Used to
Would
 Use USED TO to describe
habitual past actions or
situations that happened in the
past but not anymore.
 Habitual Actions in the Past
Jane used to live in the city. Now she
lives in the country.

I didn't use to travel much when

I was younger.
 Use WOULD with time expressions

I would take a walk around the park

every morning when I lived there.
 Used to and would are similar in
meaning to describe past actions.

I used to buy my groceries there.

I would buy my groceries there.
 Use only Used to to describe
location, state of being, or
possession.
She used to live in Paris.
They used to be very responsible.
I used to have a pet.
 Past
Perfect
 Use the Past Perfect to
describe one action that was
completed before another
action in the past.
 When I arrived, my mom had left.

NOW
left arrived
 Past
Perfect
Progressive
 Use the Past Perfect
Progressive to describe one
action that was in progress
before another action in the
past.
 twenty minutes
NOW
arrived

I had been waiting for 20 minutes

when the bus finally arrived.
Future
in the
Past
Use the Future in the Past to
describe an action planned or
expected at a time in the past
 I will finish
on time

yesterday NOW
Mary thought she would finish on time.
Mary thought she was going to finish on time.