Past Tenses

Uses

100

Name at least three uses of Past Simple

Single completed actions                                         Habits in the past 

Permanent situations in the past                           General truths or facts about the past                          Describing a sequence of events

200

Name at least four uses of Past Continuous

Actions happening at a particular moment in the past                                      

Temporary situations in the past 

Annoying past habits (usually with always) 

Actions in progress over a period of time

Two actions in progress at the same time 

Background information in a story 

300

Name two uses of Past Perfect

Situations and states before an action in the past 

Completed actions before a moment in the past (sometimes with the focus on the result)  

400

Name two uses of Past Perfect Continuous

An action continuing up to a moment in the past 

An action stopping just before a moment in the past.