Tenses use
Tense that indicates that an activity, state, habit or situation began and ended at a particular time in the past.
Past simple
The robbers (leave) _______ the bank when the policemen finally (arrive)______.
had left / arrived
stairs / that / said / she / down / fallen / had / the / she
She said that she had fallen down the stairs.
I didn't recognise / hadn't recognised Sue, because she cut / had cut her hair.
I didn't recognize Sue, because she had cut her hair.
It expresses an activity that was completed before another activity or time in the past.
Past perfect simple
When it _____ (start) to rain , the Atkinsons (finish)______ planting trees.
started / had finished
else / already. / had / he / everyone / When / left / arrived,
When he arrived, everyone else had already left.
I arrived / had arrived at the shop at 6.45, but it already closed / had already closed
I arrived at the shop at 6.45, but it already had closed.
You use it to refer to an action that was in progress up to another time in the past.
Past perfect continuous
Claudia ___________ (play) basketball when she was younger.
used to play / would play
I / longer / hair / was / to / kid. / when / a / have / I / used.
I used to have longer hair when I was a kid.
I am used to wash / washing new clothes before wearing them.
I am used to washing new clothes before wearing them.
You can use them to express a past habit or state in contrast to the present.
used to / would
Dan said that he ______________ (wait) for 40 minutes.
he had been waiting
She is used to living in the UK.
I had looked / had been looking for a job for months.
I had been looking for a job for months.
You can use them instead of saying 'be accustomed to'
be used to / get used to + -ing form
I _______________ (wake up) early in the morning.
TIP: it's becoming a habit
I am getting used to waking up early in the morning.
was / had / running, / been / she / so / she / sweated./ all
She had been running, so she was all sweated.
She had slept / had been sleeping for 50 minutes when the telephone rang / had rang.
She had been sleeping for 50 minutes when the telephone rang.