Past tenses

I told John not to drive, because he ____________ the night before.

• drank

• was drinking

• had drunk

Answer explanation

'the night before'

nos habla del pasado del pasado, entonces usaremos PAST PERFECT.

Why did you change the channel? I ___________that movie.

• watched

• was watching

• had watched

Answer explanation

While she/he was watching TV, someone changed the channel.

Una acción sucedió, interrumpiendo una en progreso.

Usamos el PAST CONTINUOUS para enfatizar.

When I ________ out of the shower the lights_________.

• got/were getting off

• had got/were getting off

• was getting/went off

• had getting/ had got off

Answer explanation

Cuando estaba SUCEDIENDO , otra acción pasó de repente, interrumpiendola.

Write the correct form of used to or be used to in the space.

Harry_______________ the piano, but he gave it up some time ago. (play)

Answer explanation

'but he gave it up' means that he STOPPED this habit.

Nos hablan de un hábito, no de una situación familiar.

Write the correct form of used to or be used to in the space.

At first getting up at 6 am was horrible, but now ____________ it.

Answer explanation

Before, this habit was horrible.

Now, I am used to it.

Ahora, estoy acotumbrado (es normal/familiar para mí).

Write the correct form of used to or be used to in the space.

When I was a youngster, I ___________books all the time. (read)

Answer explanation

I used to read books all the time = It's a HABIT.

Write the correct form of used to, be used to in the space.

As a child I ______________ learning now, however, I find it a struggle.

Answer explanation

I find it a struggle = nos hablan de CÓMO nos resulta una situación.

¿Es normal o difícil para nosotros?

Para hablar de cómo nos sentimos hacia algo, usaremos BE USED TO.

be + used to + verb (ing)

Write the correct form of used to or be used to in the space.

My wife insists on listening to opera music, it _________ me mad, these days I _____________ it, so I don’t get angry. (drive)

Answer explanation

'these days' is a hint (pista).

Algo que antes solía molestarnos, ahora no es para tanto (porque nos hemos acostumbrado).

it used to drive me mad = esto antes solía ponerme de los nervios (USED TO)

now I am used to it = ahora estoy acostumbrado (BE USED TO)

Write the correct form of used to or be used to in the space.

My boss is always giving me extra work to do, at first it was a real problem, nowadays I ____________ it and I do what I can.

Answer explanation

'it was a real problem' is a hint (pista).

Nos habla de cómo nos sentíamos hacia algo.

'now' is another hint.

Algo ha cambiado hasta AHORA, que SÍ estoy acostumbrado a algo.

I am used to it.

When I saw Clara I realised that she ______ much in all those years. (not change)

Answer explanation

'I realised' is a hint.

Something changed BEFORE I saw her.

Before = the past of the past

Before = el pasado del pasado, algo sucedió ANTES de que yo le viese, y me di cuenta en ese momento.

PAST PERFECT se usa para hablar de cosas que sucedieron en PRIMER lugar, antes que otras.