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    Learn English > English lessons and exercises > English test #5884: Past tenses
    > Other English exercises on the same topics: | Past | Find the correct tense [Change theme]
    > Similar tests: - Past simple or present perfect - Past simple (video) - Modal: may/might - Past simple or continuous - Placement test 1 - Gerund - Adverbs and past tense - Choosing your past tense...
    > Double-click on words you don't understand


    Past tenses




     I) PAST SIMPLE:


    a) Actions which are over:

    She learnt Spanish with her mother. 



    b) Habits:

    I swam a lot when I was young.



    c) With dates in the past:

     (dates / adverbs: last... ago... during.)

    Mr Smith died in 1920. 

    I met Philip this morning. 

    I went over there last year. 





    II) PAST CONTINUOUS:



    a) Actions in progress in the past: 

    No, I was listening to you!


    b) Actions in progress when another action interrupts it:

    I was showering when you arrived. 

     



    III) PRESENT PERFECT SIMPLE:


    a) Focus on current results of past actions:

    I have lost my keys.


    b) Used with adverbs:

    ever, never, already, yet, so far...


    Have you already seen my demo? 

    No, I have never seen it. 


     

    IV) PRESENT PERFECT CONTINUOUS :


     a) Focus on the length of the action:

    It has been snowing for two days.


    b) With FOR & SINCE:


                         I have been living here for 10 years.

                    I have been living here since 1996. 




    V) PAST PERFECT SIMPLE:


    A) Actions occuring before another action in the past: 

    He said that he had had an accident. 



    B) Actions occuring few minutes before:

    I had just woken up. => Je venais de me réveiller.




    VI) PAST PERFECT CONTINUOUS:


    A) Actions in progress in the past:

    We had been talking all day; it was time to stop.  

    I had been drinking; I couldn't deny it.



    B) With FOR & SINCE :

    We had been driving for six hours. 

    He had been sleeping since the morning. 







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    English exercise "Past tenses" created by bridg with The test builder. [More lessons & exercises from bridg]
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    1. As we were talking we (to be interrupted) by a phone call.

    2. I (to start) learning Spanish... but I suddenly stopped 2 months ago.

    3. (you / ever/ to be) to Scotland ?

    4. They (to buy) a new car recently.

    5. He seemed tired as he (to wander) in town all day.

    6. No sooner (to wash + my mother) the windows than it started raining.

    7. A huge amount of money (to be stolen) but the employees remained tight-lipped.

    8. She (to work) there for 30 years until she retired.

    9. Tom (not to do) the washing-up yet! You must do it!

    10. John (just + to arrive) at home when it started raining.










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