PAST TENSES:

Past tenses
• The focus this week is on:
o Past simple
o Past continuous
 Past simple: uses
I got up, switched off the radio, and sat
down again.

Why are we using the past simple here?

 Past simple: uses

(CONSECUTIVE) FINISHED ACTIONS IN THE

PAST
 Past simple: uses
When I was younger, I went to the park
every day.

Why are we using the past simple here?

 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.
 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?

 Past simple: uses

IN SECOND CONDITIONAL CLAUSES

 Past simple: uses

Joan said that she wanted to come to the

party.

Why are we using the past simple here?

 Past simple: uses

IN REPORTED SPEECH, INSTEAD OF THE

PRESENT SIMPLE
 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?

 Past simple: uses

TO EXPRESS WISHES ABOUT THE PRESENT

 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?
 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.
 Past continuous: uses

In the food court, half a dozen students

were pushing each other. Most of them
were trying to get food faster to catch
the break time.
Why are we using the past continuous
here?
 Past continuous: uses

BACKGROUND DESCRIPTIONS IN STORIES

 Past continuous: uses

He said that he was enjoying his work.

Why are we using the past continuous

here?
 Past continuous: uses

IN REPORTED SPEECH INSTEAD OF THE

PRESENT CONTINUOUS
 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?

 Past continuous: uses

TO EXPRESS WISHES ABOUT ACTIONS IN

PROGRESS