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Past simple, past continuous or Past perfect - English lesson
1. Past simple:
When to use it?
We use the Past Simple to talk about actions that were completed in the past, often with a specific time reference.
Structure:
>Affirmative form: Subject + verb in the past (regular verb + -ed or irregular verb)
Example: I visited London last summer.
>Negative form: Subject + did + not + base verb
Example: She didn't go to the party.
>Interrogative form: Did + subject + base verb
Example: Did you see the movie yesterday?
Other examples:
I watched a movie last night.
He worked hard last week.
2. Past continuous:
When to use it?
We use the Past Continuous to describe an action that was ongoing at a specific moment in the past. It is also used to talk about two actions happening at the same time.
Structure:
>Affirmative form: Subject + was/were + verb + -ing
Example: I was studying when the phone rang.
>Negative form: Subject + was/were + not + verb + -ing
Example: They weren't listening to music.
>Interrogative form: Was/Were + subject + verb + -ing
Example: Were you sleeping at 10 PM?
Oher examples:
She was reading a book when I called her.
They were playing football while I was watching TV.
3. Past perfect:
When to use it?
We use the Past Perfect to talk about an action that happened before another action in the past.
Structure:
>Affirmative form: Subject + had + past participle
Example: I had finished my homework before I went to the party.
>Negative form: Subject + had + not + past participle
Example: He hadn't seen the movie before we watched it.
>Interrogative form: Had + subject + past participle
Example: Had you ever visited New York before last year?
Other examples:
I had already eaten when she arrived.
They had left before the concert started.
==============Summary:
> Past Simple: Completed action in the past (specific time).
I played football yesterday.
> Past Continuous: Ongoing action at a specific time in the past or simultaneous actions.
I was studying when you called.
> Past Perfect: Action that happened before another action in the past.
She had finished before I came.
Complete the sentences with the correct verb form in parentheses according to the time context. Correct answers are explained.
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