PAST TENSES

The past tense (abbreviated PST) is a grammatical tense that places an action or situation in the past of the current moment (in an absolute tense system), or prior to some specified time that may be in the speaker's past, present, or future (in a relative tense system). Not all languages mark verbs for the past tense (Mandarin Chinese, for example, does not); in some languages, the grammatical expression of past tense is combined with the expression of mood and/or aspect (see tenseaspectmood). Some languages that mark for past tense do so by inflecting the verb, while others do so by using auxiliary verbs (and some do both).

PAST SIMPLE TENSE

FORM [VERB+ed] or irregular verbs Examples: You called Debbie. Did you call Debbie? You did not call Debbie. The past simple tense of the most english verbs (regular verbs) is formed by adding "-ed"/"-d" to their base form. (If the verb ends in "-e", we add "-d" to form the past simple.) There are also some verbs called irregular verbs that have special past tense forms. Spelling rules for the past simple of regular verbs: if a regular verb ends in consonant + y change y to i and add -ed: carry - carried, study - studied, fry - fried, try tried. If a one syllable regular verb ends in consonant + vowel + consonant double the final consonant and add -ed -- > stop - stopped, plan - planned, rob - robbed, beg begged If a regular verb has more than one syllable and ends in consonant + vowel + consonant, we double the final consonant only if the final syllable is stressed -- > preFER - preferred, regRET - regretted Exception: In British English verbs ending in -l have -ll before -ed whether the final syllable is stressed or not -- > travel travelled Pronunciation of final "-ed" (regular verbs): After an unvoiced consonant sound (sh/ s / ch / p / k / f ) we pronounce /t/: wash (/sh/) - washed (/t/); kiss (/s/) - kissed (/t/); work (/k/) - worked (/t/); hope (/p/) - hoped (/t/); laugh (/f/) - laughed (/t/) After a vowel and voiced consonant sounds we pronounce /d/: phone (/n/) - phoned (/d/); judge (/dg/) judged (/d/); turn (/n/) - turned (/d/); play (/ei/) - played (/d/); follow (/ou/) - followed (/d/) After /t/ and /d/ sounds we pronounce /-id/: visite (/t/) - visited (/id/); start (/t/) - started (/id/); need (/d/) - needed (/id/) USE 1: Completed Action in the Past Use the Simple Past to express the idea that an action started and finished at a specific time in the past. Sometimes, the speaker may not actually mention the specific time, but they do have one specific time in mind.

Examples: I saw a movie yesterday. I didn't see a play yesterday. Last year, I traveled to Japan. Last year, I didn't travel to Korea. Did you have dinner last night? She washed her car. He didn't wash his car. USE 2: A Series of Completed Actions

We use the Simple Past to list a series of completed actions in the past. These actions happen 1st, 2nd, 3rd, 4th, and so on. USE 3: Duration in Past

The Simple Past can be used with a duration which starts and stops in the past. A duration is a longer action often indicated by expressions such as: for two years, for five minutes, all day, all year, etc. Examples: I lived in Brazil for two years. Shauna studied Japanese for five years. They sat at the beach all day. They did not stay at the party the entire time. We talked on the phone for thirty minutes. A: How long did you wait for them? B: We waited for one hour. USE 4: Habits in the Past

The Simple Past can also be used to describe a habit which stopped in the past. It can have the same meaning as "used to." To make it clear that we are talking about a habit, we often add expressions such as: always, often, usually, never, when I was a child, when I was younger, etc. Examples: I studied French when I was a child. He played the violin. He didn't play the piano. Did you play a musical instrument when you were a kid? She worked at the movie theater after school. They never went to school, they always skipped class. 3

USE 5: Past Facts or Generalizations

The Simple Past can also be used to describe past facts or generalizations which are no longer true. As in USE 4 above, this use of the Simple Past is quite similar to the expression "used to." Examples: She was shy as a child, but now she is very outgoing. He didn't like tomatoes before. Did you live in Texas when you were a kid? People paid much more to make cell phone calls in the past.

PAST PERECT SIMPLE

FORM: Had + Past participle USE: 1.)Completed action before something in the past

The Past Perfect expresses the idea that something occured before another action in the past. It can also show that something happened before a specific time in the past. Examples: 1.I have never seen such a beautiful beach before I went to Kauai. 2.Had Susan ever visited the U.S. before her trip in 2006? 3.Kristine had never been to an opera before last night. 2.)Duration before something in the past

With Non-Continuous verbs and some non-continuous uses of Mixed verbs, we use the Past Perfect to show that something started in the past and continued up until another action in the past. Examples: 1.We had had that car for ten years before it broke down. 2.By the time Alex finished his studies, he had been in London for over eight years. Specific times with Past Perfect

Unlike with the Present Perfect, it is possible to use specific time words or phrases with the Past Perfect. Although this is possible, it is usually not necessary. Example: 1.She had visited her Japanese relatives one in 1993 before she moved in with them in 1996. However, if the Past Perfect is not reffering to an action in a specific time, Past Perfect is not optional. Active/Passive George had repaired many cars before he received his mechanic's license. (ACTIVE) Many cars had been repaired by George before he received his mechanic's license. (PASSIVE)

PAST PERFECT CONTINUOUS

FORM: [had been + present participle] Examples: You had been waiting there for more than two hours when she finally arrived. Had you been waiting there for more than two hours when she finally arrived? You had not been waiting there for more than two hours when she finally arrived.

USE 1 Duration Before Something in the Past

We use the Past Perfect Continuous to show that something started in the past and continued up until another time in the past. "For five minutes" and "for two weeks" are both durations which can be used with the Past Perfect Continuous. Notice that this is related to the Present Perfect Continuous; however, the duration does not continue until now, it stops before something else in the past. Examples: They had been talking for over an hour before Tony arrived. She had been working at that company for three years when it went out of business. How long had you been waiting to get on the bus? Mike wanted to sit down because he had been standing all day at work. James had been teaching at the university for more than a year before he left for Asia. A: How long had you been studying Turkish before you moved to Ankara? B: I had not been studying Turkish very long.

USE 2 Cause of Something in the Past

Using the Past Perfect Continuous before another action in the past is a good way to show cause and effect.

Examples:

Jason was tired because he had been jogging. Sam gained weight because he had been overeating. Betty failed the final test because she had not been attending class.

Past Continuous vs. Past Perfect Continuous If you do not include a duration such as "for five minutes," "for two weeks" or "since Friday," many English speakers choose to use the Past Continuous rather than the Past Perfect Continuous. Be careful because this can change the meaning of the sentence. Past Continuous emphasizes interrupted actions, whereas Past Perfect Continuous emphasizes a duration of time before something in the past. Study the examples below to understand the difference. Examples: hard. THIS SENTENCE EMPHASIZES THAT HE WAS TIRED BECAUSE HE WAS EXERCISING AT THAT EXACT MOMENT. He was tired because he had been exercising so hard. THIS SENTENCE EMPHASIZES THAT HE WAS TIRED BECAUSE HE HAD BEEN EXERCISING OVER A PERIOD OF TIME. IT IS POSSIBLE THAT HE WAS STILL EXERCISING AT THAT MOMENT OR THAT HE HAD JUST FINISHED.

He

was

tired

because

he was

exercising so

REMEMBER Non-Continuous Verbs / Mixed Verbs It is important to remember that Non-Continuous Verbs cannot be used in any continuous tenses. Also, certain non-continuous meanings for Mixed Verbs cannot be used in continuous tenses. Instead of using Past Perfect Continuous with these verbs, you must use Past Perfect. Examples: The motorcycle had been belonging to George for years before Tina bought it. Not Correct The motorcycle had belonged to George for years before Tina bought it. Correct

ADVERB PLACEMENT The examples below show the placement for grammar adverbs such as: always, only, never, ever, still, just, etc.

Examples:

You had only been waiting there for a few minutes when she arrived. Had you only been waiting there for a few minutes when she arrived.

ACTIVE / PASSIVE Examples: Chef Jones had been preparing the restaurant's fantastic dinners for two years before he moved to Paris. ACTIVE The restaurant's fantastic dinners had been being prepared by Chef Jones for two years before he moved to Paris. PASSIVE

NOTE: Passive forms of the Past Perfect Continuous are not common.

PAST CONTINUOUS

FORM: [was/were + present participle]

Examples:

You were Were you studyi You were not

studying when she called.

ng when she called?

studying when she called.

USE 1 Interrupted Action in the Past

Use the Past Continuous to indicate that a longer action in the past was interrupted. The interruption is usually a shorter action in the Simple Past. Remember this can be a real interruption or just an interruption in time. Examples:

I was When the phone While we were What were you A:

watching TV when she called.

rang, she was writing a letter.

having the picnic, it started to rain.

doing when the earthquake started?

What were you doing when you broke your leg? B: I was snowboarding.

USE 2 Specific Time as an Interruption

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In USE 1, described above, the Past Continuous is interrupted by a shorter action in the Simple Past. However, you can also use a specific time as an interruption.

Examples:

Last night at 6 At midnight,

PM, I was eating dinner.

we were still driving through the desert.

Yesterday at this

time, I was sitting at my desk at work. IMPORTANT In the Simple Past, a specific time is used to show when an action began or finished. In the Past Continuous, a specific time only interrupts the action. Examples:

Last night at 6

PM, I ate dinner. I STARTED EATING AT 6 PM.

Last night at 6

PM, I was eating dinner. I STARTED EARLIER; AND AT 6 PM, I WAS IN THE PROCESS OF EATING DINNER. USE 3 Parallel Actions

When you use the Past Continuous with two actions in the same sentence, it expresses the idea that both actions were happening at the same time. The actions are parallel. Examples:

I was While Ellen was Were you listen

studying while he was making dinner.

reading, Tim was watching television.

ing while he was talking?

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They were

eating dinner, discussing their plans, and having a good time.

USE 4 Atmosphere In English, we often use a series of parallel actions to describe the atmosphere at a particular time in the past. Example: When I walked into the office, several people were busily typing, some were talking on the phones, the boss was yelling directions, and customers were waiting to be helped. One customer was yelling at a secretary and waving his hands. Others were complaining to each other about the bad service.

USE 5 Repetition and Irritation with "Always"

The Past Continuous with words such as "always" or "constantly" expresses the idea that something irritating or shocking often happened in the past. The concept is very similar to the expression "used to" but with negative emotion. Remember to put the words "always" or "constantly" between "be" and "verb+ing." Examples:

She was always He was I didn't like

coming to class late.

constantly talking. He annoyed everyone.

them because they were always complaining.

While vs. When Clauses are groups of words which have meaning, but are often not complete sentences. Some clauses begin with the word "when" such as "when she called" or "when it bit me." Other clauses begin with "while" such as "while she was sleeping" and "while he was surfing." When you talk about things in the past, "when" is most often followed by the verb tense Simple Past, whereas "while" is usually followed by Past Continuous. "While" expresses the idea of "during that time." Study the examples below. They have similar meanings, but they emphasize different parts of the sentence.
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Examples:

I was While I was

studying when she called.

studying, she called.

REMEMBER Non-Continuous Verbs / Mixed Verbs It is important to remember that Non-Continuous Verbs cannot be used in any continuous tenses. Also, certain non-continuous meanings for Mixed Verbs cannot be used in continuous tenses. Instead of using Past Continuous with these verbs, you must use Simple Past. Examples:

Jane was Jane was at my

being at my house when you arrived. Not Correct

house when you arrived. Correct ADVERB PLACEMENT The examples below show the placement for grammar adverbs such as: always, only, never, ever, still, just, etc. Examples:

You Were

were just studying when she called.

you just studying when she called? ACTIVE / PASSIVE Examples: The salesman was helping the customer when the thief came into the store. ACTIVE

The customer was being helped by the salesman when the thief came into the store. PASSIVE

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PRESENT PERFECT SIMPLE

Present Perfect Simple is formed with the present tense of have + the past participle. The past participle in regular verbs has exactly the same form as the simple past, for example: loved, walked etc. In irregular verbs, the past participle vary. The negative is formed by adding not to the auxiliary. The interrogative is formed by inverting the auxiliary and subject.

Example: Affirmative: I have worked. Negative: I have not worked. Interrogative: Have I worked?

Use of Present Perfect Simple:

This tense may be said to be a sort of mixture of present and past. It always implies a strong connection with the present and is chiefly used in conversations, letters, newspapers, television etc.

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1. Present perfect is used with just for a recently completed action. Example: He has just gone out. This is special use of this tense. Just must be places between the auxiliary and the main verb

2. The present perfect is used for past actions whose time is not definite. a) It is used for recent actions when time is not mentioned. Example: I have read the instructions but I don't understand them.

b) Recent actions in the present perfect often have results in the present. Example: Tom has had a bad car crash. (He's probably still in hospital)

c) It can also be used for actions which occur further back in the past, provided the connection with the present is still maintained, that is that the action could be repeated in the present. Example: John Smith has written a number of short stories. (Implies that he's still alive and can write more)

3. The present perfect is used for actions occuring in an incomplete period. Example: I haven't seen Tom this afternoon.

It is also used with lately and recently Examples: There have been some changes lately/recently.

It is used with ever, never, always, occasionally, often, several times and since + point in time/ clause/ adverb

Examples:

Have you ever fallen off a horse? Yes, I've fallen off quite occasionally. I haven't seen him since November. He has written since he left home? 14

They're always answered my letters.

4. The present perfect is used for an action which lasts throughout an incomplete period This use include for, since, all day/night/week, all the time, lately, never, recently The action usually begins in the past and continues past the time of speaking in the present.

Example: He has been in the army for two years. (He's still in the army) I have smoked since I left school. (I still smoke.) We have waited all day. (We are still waiting 5. The present perfect used with for and since For is used: a) with a period of time: for six days, for a long time b) with the present perfect denotes a period of time extending into present: We have lived in London for ten years. (and still live there) c) can sometimes be omitted, especially after be, live and wait: We've been here an hour. Since is used with a point in time and means from that point to the time of speaking . She has been here since six o'clock. (and still here)

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REFERENCES
http://www.englishpage.com/verbpage/pastperfectcontinuous.html http://www.englishpage.com/verbpage/simplepast.html http://djecaonica.com/Vremena/Simple%20Past%20Tense.htm http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Past_tense A Practical English Grammar , Fourth edition, A.J. Thomson, A.V. Martinet, Oxford University Press, 1986

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CONTENT

PAST TENSES PAST SIMPLE TENSE PAST PERFECT SIMPLE PAST PERFECT CONTINUOUS PAST CONTINUOUS PRESENT PERFECT SIMPLE REFERENCES CONTENT

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