Past Tenses (0)

PAST TENSES
Past Simple

• Used to talk about a completed past action which happened at a completed time in the past.
  

We went to Tallinn yesterday .
I saw him a long time ago.
We met last week.

• Used to talk about a series of events that happened one after another.
  

He walked to school, took off his coat , went to class and fell asleep.

• Used to report what people said.
  

He said that he was tired.
He asked to go home.

• Used after "It’s time" ( even though we’re talking about now)
  

It’s time we talked about the past (now).

• After "I’d rather " (even though we’re talking about now)
  

I’d rather you drove (now). (But "I’d rather drive" – if talking about yourself)

• After "I wish " (even though we’re talking about now)
  

I wish I had a million dollars (now).

• After "If only" (even talking though we’re talking about now=
  

If only I had an apple (now).
Past Continuous

• Used to say that somebody was in the middle of doing something at a certain time in the past.
  

At 10:30 yesterday, I was preparing lessons.
What were you doing at 6:30?

• Often used with Past Simple to show a continuing action interrupted by a sudden action in the past.
  

I was studying when the phone rang.
( Remember : there are some verbs that have no continuous – know , believe, heat, etc.)
Present Perfect Simple

• Used to talk about finished actions in an unfinished time period .
  

I have eaten three cookies today (the cookies are finished but today isn’t).
I have cleaned my room this morning (the cleaning is finished, but it’s still morning).
Often the time period isn’t mentioned. That means that it’s the lifetime of the speaker.
I have travelled to Europe (in my life).
If the person is dead we can’t use Present Perfect.
Hitler has killed killed many people. (Hitler’s time period is finished, so Past Simple must be used)

• Used with just, already , yet, ever, never .
  

I’ve just finished my work .
I’ve already walked the dog.
He hasn’t done his homework yet.
Have you ever seen a dragon ?
I’ve never hurt anybody.

• Used to talk about an action in the past when you can see the result now.
  

Oh, you’ve had a haircut.

• Used with "It’s the first /second/third/etc. time"
  

It’s the first time he has kissed a girl.

• Used with superlatives
  

That’s the ugliest frog I’ve ever seen .
Present Perfect Continuous

• Used to talk about an action that began in the past and continues now when we are interested in how long. Usually we know when the action begun.
  

She has been talking on the phone for three hours .

• Usually used with "for" or " since "
  

She has been doing her homework for days since Friday .

• Used to talk about actions that have repeated over a period of time.
  

• I have been writing poetry for 30 years .
  
• With noncontinous verbs (no –ing) we have to use Present Perfect Simple
  

I have believed in Santa Claus since I have born (still believe).
NB! Difference between Present Continuous and Present Perfect Continuous. Both are used for an action that is continuing but with Present Continuous we don’t know, or don’t care how long.
I am studying.
I have been studying for 3 hours.
Present Perfect Simple

• Used to talk about an action that happened before another action in the past (the past-in-the-past)
  

When I went home at 6:30 yesterday, I saw that my bike had been stolen (happened before I went home).

• Used after “I wish” and “If only” to talk about past regrets
  

I wish I had locked my door.
If only I had taken my bike with me.
NB! Compare Past Simple and Past Present Simple
Past Simple: I went to the cinema and saw Titanic .
Past Perfect Simple: I went to the cinema, but I had already seen Titanic so I went home.
Past Perfect Continuous

• Used to talk about an action that was continuing at a certain time in the past and we know when it began.
  

At 6:30 yesterday, she had been washing clothes for two hours (began at 4:30 and still not finished)

• Used to talk about an action that repeated many times before a certain time in the past.
  

When I met him in 1990 he had been fixing cars for 20 years (he fixed many cars before 1990, was still fixing cars in 1990)

• Past Present Continuous is often interrupted by Past Simple.
  

I had been reading for 4 hours yesterday when the phone rang.

• “For” or “since” are usually used.