Past tense

Actions in progress during the past period of time e.g.. I was drinking my coffee at the time...[r]

Past Tenses

Past Simple

Completed actions in the past

e.g

He jumped out of his bed and ran

Past Continuous

Actions in progress during the past period of time e.g

Past Simple – Past Simple

I got up, washed my face and brushed my teeth She got up when the alarm clock went off

Past Simple – Past Continuous

Erika dropped her bag while she was getting into her car

Past Continuous - Past Continuous

My mother was watching TV while my father was washing dishes

While I lived in London, I walked through the park every day

When Carlo was in hospital, we were visiting him twice a week

past habit

Past Perfect

By the time I got to the station, the train had left

The train left five minutes before I got to the station

Past Perfect Continuous

Used to habits e.g

Whenever we went to my uncle’s house, we would play in the garden

We used to play in the garden

states

He used to have a dog The factory used to be over there

Would

habits (if time reference is clear)

Whenever we went to my uncle’s house, we would play in the garden

We would play in the garden

Other structures

I was going to phone you but I forgot

I was thinking of buying a present for him but I haven’t decided

I was about to ask you

Jack was to watch the film, but he fell asleep