Past Tense (review)

Past Tenses

• to talk about the past

• to talk about hypotheses (when we imagine something)

• for politeness

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​The PAST TENSE in English is used...

There are four PAST TENSES in English...

Past Simple > I worked

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Past Continuous > ​I was working

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​Past Perfect > I had worked

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​Past Perfect Continuous > I had been working

How do we use these forms?

To talk about the past...

He worked at McDonald's. He had never worked before. He was working at McDonald's when they met. He had been working there for two years.

To refer to the present or future in hypotheses...

​It might be dangerous. Suppose they got lost.

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This use is very common in wishes...

I wish I wasn't so cold​.​

In conditions with if...

​He could get a new job if he really tried.

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​If Jack was playing, they would probably win.

For hypotheses, wishes and conditions in the past, we use PAST PERFECT...

​It was very dangerous. What if you had got lost?

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I wish I hadn't spent so much money on my holidays.

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​I would have helped him if he had asked.

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To talk about the present in a few polite expressions...

Excuse me, I was wondering if this was the train to York.

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I just hoped you would be able to help me.​

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Multiple Choice

Why is the PAST TENSE used in this sentence?

I wish David WERE here! He WOULD know what to do.

• something real in the past

• something imagined in the present/future

• a polite expression

Multiple Choice

Why is the PAST TENSE used in this sentence?

I WAS WONDERING, COULD I borrow a bit of money?

• something real in the past

• something imagined in the present/future

• a polite expression

Multiple Choice

Why is the PAST TENSE used in this sentence?

The ash from the volcano CLOSED hundreds of airports.

• something real in the past

• something imagined in the present/future

• a polite expression

Multiple Choice

Why is the PAST TENSE used in this sentence?

Cherry WAS off work last week so she MISSED the meeting.

• something real in the past

• something imagined in the present/future

• a polite expression

Multiple Choice

Why is the PAST TENSE used in this sentence?

If only your grandfather COULD see you now! He’d be really proud.

• something real in the past

• something imagined in the present/future

• a polite expression

Multiple Choice

Why is the PAST TENSE used in this sentence?

I'm sorry, WERE you WAITING to see me?

• something real in the past

• something imagined in the present/future

• a polite expression

Multiple Choice

Why is the PAST TENSE used in this sentence?

If I LIVED outside London, I'd have to spend more on transport.

• something real in the past

• something imagined in the present/future

• a polite expression

Multiple Choice

Why is the PAST TENSE used in this sentence?

I WANTED to reserve a table for tomorrow evening. COULD I have a table for four, please?

• something real in the past

• something imagined in the present/future

• a polite expression

Multiple Choice

Why is the PAST TENSE used in this sentence?

I WANTED to reserve a table for tomorrow, but I've changed my mind.

• something real in the past

• something imagined in the present/future

• a polite expression