Past tenses

08/12/2023
We can use the past simple, to say that one thing happened after another.
When the telephone rang, Ali answered it.
I sheltered under the oak tree when it started to rain.
When Ayse arrived, Osman made some coffee.
I got up late yesterday morning and had a shower and then had breakfast.At 8 I left the house for school.

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1. Background Description
Past Continuous Tense
The past continuous is used to describe actions still in progress, and is used for background description.
There were a lot of people waiting in the station. Some were sleeping on the benches, and others were walking up and down. Susan was looking for Graham, so she didn't sit down.

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When telling a story,describing background.
I was standing outside the bus station. It was getting late and I was feeling tired. I was waiting for a man called Johnny.
And past simple for events and actions.
Suddenly, a woman came round the corner and walked right up to me.’Are you Mr Marlowe? She asked.

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Past Before Past
The past perfect is used to describe a past event which took place before another past event.
By the time the train arrived, Susan had managed to push her way to the front of the crowd.
By his second day at camp he had made several friends.
After he had packed his bag, he left the house.

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Past Tense
It is not always necessary if a time expression makes the order of events clear.
Before the train arrived, Susan managed to push her way to the front of the crowds.

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Interrupted Past Continuous
We often contrast an action still in progress with a sudden event which interrupts it.
While Susan was trying to get onto the platform, a man grabbed her handbag.
I was having a shower when I heard the telephone ring.
What were you doing when I phoned you last night?

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Participle Clauses
Participle clauses are introduced by the time expressions before, after and while. They have the same subject as the following clause.
After struggling with him, Susan pulled the bag from his hands.
Opening her bag, she took out her gun.…

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Habits in the Past
The past simple is used to describe past habits or states. A time expression is usually necessary.
I always got up at six in those days. (Habit)
I lived in Austria for several years. (State)

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Used to
Used to is used to describe past habits, usually in contrast with the present. A time expression is not necessary.
I used to get up at six, but now I get up at eight.
When I was young, I used to go climbing once a month.
He used to live in Ankara.
Used to can also describe past states.
I used to own a horse. (I owned a horse once.)
I didn’t use to like beer.

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Would
Would is used to describe a person's typical activities in the past.
It can only be used to describe repeated actions, and is mainly used in writing, and in personal reminiscences.
Every evening was the same. Jack would turn on the radio, light his pipe and fall asleep.

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Past Continuous Politeness and
Uncertainty
The past continuous can be used to describe a repeated action in the past, often an annoying habit. A frequency adverb is necessary.
When Peter was younger, he was always getting into trouble.
The past continuous with the verb wonder has a polite meaning.
I was wondering if you could help me.
2. With the verb think the past continuous suggests uncertainty
I was thinking of having a party next week.

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Exercises
I suddenly remembered that I forgot / had forgotten my keys.
Had forgotten
While Diana watched / was watching her favorite television programme, there was a power-cut.
Was watching
Tom used to live / would live in the house at the end of the street.
Used to live

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4. Who was driving / drove the car at the time of the accident?
Was driving
5. By the time Serdar got back, Oguz went / had gone.
Had gone

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6. Davud ate / had eaten Japanese food before, so he knew what to order.
Had eaten
7. I did / was doing some shopping yesterday, when I saw that Dutch friend of yours.
Was doing

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.
I used to like / was liking sweets much more than I do now.
Used to like
9. What exactly were you doing / did you do when I came into your office yesterday?
Were you doing

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10. Jale missed the party because no-one was telling / had told her about it.
Had told
11. Esra would / used to be a doctor.
used to
12. After phoning the airport, Faruk packed / had packed / was packing his suitcase.
packed

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13. While I ............ to get my car started, a passing car ............ and the driver ............. to help me.
A) tried / stopped / offered
B) was trying / stopped / was offering
C) was trying / was stopping / was offering
D) was trying / stopped / offered
d
14. The police ............ no attention to Michael's complaint because she .............. them so many times before.
A) was paying / was phoning
B) paid / phoned
C) paid / had phoned
D) was paying / had phoned
c

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15. Maria .......... her glasses at the time, so she ........... what kind of car the man .............. .
A) didn’t wear / didn’t notice / drove
B) wasn’t wearing / didn’t notice / was driving
C) wasn’t wearing / wasn’t noticing / was driving
D) was wearing / didn’t notice / had driven
b
16. George ........... that he ...............the other car, but said that he ..............it.
A) admitted / had hit / hadn’t damaged
B) admitted / hit / didn’t damage
C) was atmitting / was hitting / wasn’t damaging
D) had admitted / had hit / hadn’t damaged
a

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17. Sorry, I ............ to you. I ............... about something else.
A) didn’t listen / thought
B) wasn’t listening / thought
C) didn’t listen / was thinking
D) wasn’t listening / was thinking
d
18. The police ...............to Carlos’s house as fast as they could, but the burglars ................. .
A) was getting / disappeared
B) got / disappeared
C) got / had disappeared
had got / disappeared
c