TENSES REFERRING TO PAST TIME

In English, six different tenses are used to talk about the past:
1) the simple past (I waited)
2) the past progressive (I was waiting)
3) the simple present perfect (I have waited)
4) the present perfect progressive (I have been waiting)
5) the simple past perfect (I had waited)
6) the past perfect progressive (I had been waiting)

THE SIMPLE PAST

1) To refer to an action that happened at a specifically located point in the past

even if we are talking about a very recent past. (Be careful, as there is a
clear contrast with Spanish here):
I saw John yesterday.
Ann phoned a couple of minutes ago.
The reference to a specific point in past time may be implicit:
I bought my car in London (I was in London last year).

2) To refer to an action that happened over a period of time in the past:

He worked there for three years.

3) To refer to a habitual past:

He always went to work by bus.

4) In certain modal uses to refer to an unreal present:

a) In unreal conditional sentences
If I had time, I would study more (but I don’t have time)
b) After certain verbs and expressions:
I wish I had more time.
If only I had less work.
It’s time we left.

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THE PAST PROGRESSIVE

To talk about actions happening over a limited period of past time:

As it was raining, I decided not to go to the beach.
The past progressive is often used in conjunction with the past tense. The
past progressive refers to a longer action; the simple past refers to a shorter action
or event that happened in the middle of the longer action, or that interrupted it:
As I was walking along the street, I saw Anne.
I was having lunch when the phone rang (the phone call interrupted
my lunch).

THE PRESENT PERFECT

1) To refer to an indefinite past (the question of when the action happened is not
important):
I’ve been to Greece twice (at non-specified points in past time)
Have you ever seen “Hamlet”?
Has Ann arrived yet?

2) To refer to a past action with present relevance or results:

John has broken his leg (so he can’t come to the dance).
If we mention when the action happened, we must use the past simple:
John broke his leg yesterday so he can’t come to the dance.

3) To refer to an action that began in the past and continues up to the present. (Be
careful, there is a clear contrast with Spanish here, since it is normal to use the
present in Spanish to express this notion: Lleva diez años trabajando aquí.):
John has worked here for ten years (he still works here).
I’ve been waiting for twenty minutes (I’m still waiting).
4) With the adverb “just” to refer to a recent past action:
I’ve just heard the news.

5) We use the present perfect when we are thinking of a period of ‘time up to

now’, even if we do not mention it. On the other hand, we use the simple past
when we are thinking of a particular finished time, even if we do not mention
it. Compare:
Have you seen Hamlet? (= Have you ever seen it? or Have you
seen the current production?)

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 Did you see Hamlet? (= Did you see the production on TV last
night?)
They have made a lot of money. (... up to now).
My grandmother did a lot for me (... when she was alive).

THE PRESENT PAST PROGRESSIVE

1) When we are talking about how long a situation has lasted (to emphasize the
idea of duration):
How long have you been learning English?
I’ve been working here for about two weeks.

2) The present perfect progressive focuses on the action or situation itself,

looking at it as a continuous activity (to emphasize the activity itself rather
than the result of the activity):
I’ve been reading your book all afternoon.
I’ve been writing so much that I’ve got writer’s cramp (but, I’ve
written the letters so now you can post them).

THE PAST PERFECT

This tense is used to situate one action in a more distant past then another:
He had already left when I arrived (his departure took place before
my arrival).

We can use the past perfect with “just” to indicate that the action happened
shortly before the other:
He had just left when I arrived.

THE PAST PERFECT PROGRESSIVE

We use this tense to talk about longer actions or situations that had
continued to the past moment that we are thinking about, or shortly before it:
When I found my sister, I could see that she had been crying.
I had been living in London for three months when I met Ann.

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“USED TO” AND “WOULD”

Apart from the central past tenses there are two other ways of expressing
past time that you should know. We can use the verb “used to” to talk about a past
habit or a past state that no longer holds:
I used to go to the theatre a lot.
I used to be in love with her.

We can also use “would” to talk about a repeated action in the past:
As a child I would go to the cinema every Saturday.

THE ADVERBS “FOR” AND “SINCE”

We can use “for” with the past tense and with the present perfect, but with
different implications:
He worked there for ten years (He doesn’t work there now).
He has worked here for ten years (He still works here).

We can use “since” only if the main verb is perfect:

He has worked here since 1980 (but, He worked here from 1975 to
1985).
Notice that although the main verb must be perfect with “since”, if “since”
introduces a subordinate clause, the subordinate verb must be in the simple past:
I have been getting the bus since I crashed my car.

Finally remember that “for” introduces a period of time, while since

introduces a point in time:
I’ve been waiting since ten o’clock.
I’ve been waiting for two hours.

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 EXERCISES

1. Fill in the blanks with the past simple or the past progressive.
1. I _____________ (just finish) the novel when the phone ____________ (ring)
2. Just as he _______________ (write) “The End”, there _______________ (be)
a power failure.
3. The passengers _______________ (get) ready to board the plane when the
alarm _______________ (go) off.
4. While we ____________ (wait), we _____________ (decide) to have a drink.
5. I _______________ (sign) the document when I _______________ (realize)
that I hadn’t read the small print.
6. I _______________ (meet) Ann while I _______________ (visit) Florence.
7. While we _______________ (have) a swim, somebody _______________
(steal) our clothes.
8. While we _______________ (wait) for the lawyer to come, he
_______________ (tell) me what had really happened.

2. Fill in the blanks with the correct tense referring to past time of the verb
in brackets.
1. _______________ (you read) this book yet?
2. I _______________ (see) two movies this week.
3. _______________ (there be) any new developments since we
_______________ (last speak)?
4. I _______________ (not go) out last weekend.
5. _______________ (you eat ever) oysters?
6. When _______________ (you arrive)?
7. When I _______________ (see) what time it _______________ (be), I
_______________ (know) we _______________ (be) in for trouble.
8. By the looks of things, somebody _______________ (search) my desk.
9. I _______________ (always drive) a Jaguar.
10. Ann _______________ (just go) out, but she’ll be back in a minute.
11. I _______________ (learn) to play the guitar ever since I _______________
(go) to that Pretenders’ concert.
12. When you _______________ (be) a child, _______________ (you ever play)
hide-and-seek by yourself? It’s very boring!

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13. _______________ (you visit) the Parthenon when you _______________ (be)
in Greece?
14. John _______________ (phone) a couple of minutes ago to see if you wanted
to go to the cinema with him.
15. We ______________ (live) in London when I _______________ (be) a child.
16. Why _______________ (you not finish) the work?
17. I _______________ (never hear) such a silly idea in all my life.
18. I _______________ (have) a terrible day today.
19. Ann _______________ (arrive) a few minutes ago.
20. I _______________ (not see) such a good film for ages.
21. I _______________ (have) lunch when I _______________ (hear) the news
on the radio.
22. I _______________ (not reread) his first novel since it ________________
(come out).
23. When Ann _______________ (finally get) to the airport, we
_______________ (wait) for two hours.
24. It’s the first time I _______________ (travel) by balloon.
25. When the explosion _______________ (occur) we simply _______________
(not understand) what _______________ (happen).
26. _______________ (the postman come) yet?
27. I _______________ (phone) for the last ten minutes and I _______________
(still not manage) to get through.
28. I ______________ (fall) asleep when the telephone _______________ (ring).
29. It was the worst accident that I _______________ (ever see).
30. We _______________ (just finish) lunch. Would you like a coffee?
31. The meeting _______________ (go on) for some time when we
_______________ (finally arrive).

3. Use the simple past, the past progressive or the past perfect of the verb in
brackets to fill in the blanks.
1. They _______________ (already start) the meeting when I _______________
(finally arrive).
2. I _______________ (not wake) up until the phone _______________ (ring).
3. They _______________ (be) married for five years when they
________________ (move) to London.
4. I ______________ (have) a shower when the doorbell _____________ (ring).
5. When we _______________ (first meet) him, we _______________ (think)
that we _______________ (never meet) anyone so charming.

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6. After she _______________ (make) her name as a journalist, she
_______________ (turn) to writing fiction.
7. They _______________ (still argue) about the matter when I
_______________ (get back).
8. At first nobody _____________ (understand) what _____________ (happen).
9. He _______________ (work) for the firm for ten years when he
_______________ (be) made redundant.
10. While they _______________ (have) a good time at the beach, I
_______________ (slave) away at the office.
11. How long _______________ (you work) on the problem when you
_______________ (realize) how dangerous it _______________ (be)?
12. When I _______________ (open) the fridge door, I _______________ (see)
that there _______________ (be) nothing left to eat.
13. There _______________ (be) rumours about a possible crisis weeks before
the Prime Minister _______________ (resign).
14. Scholars _______________ (accept) the definition for years until Gettier
_______________ (challenge) it.

4. Use “for”, “since” or “from” to fill in the blanks.

1. He waited __________ more than two hours.
2. They have been carrying out research into the phenomenon __________ 1989.
3. I’ve been in front of the screen __________ the last four hours.
4. There’s been no more news __________ you last phoned.
5. He worked here __________ 1983 to 1990.
6. It’s ages __________ we last ate out.

5. Compare the following pairs of sentences and work out the different
implications of each pair.
1. a. He worked there for ten years.
b. He has worked there for ten years.
2. a. Have you spoken to John?
b. Did you speak to John?
3. a. Have you seen Godard’s latest movie?
b. Did you see Godard’s latest movie?
4. a. Did you visit the Uffizi?
b. Have you visited the Uffizi?

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5. a. I had a rotten day.
b. I’ve had a rotten day.
6. a. He has lived in Spain for two years.
b. He lived in Spain for two years.
7. a. I have smoked since I left school.
b. I smoked for six months.
8. a. I didn’t see Tom this afternoon.
b. I haven’t seen Tom this afternoon.
9. a. We had a wonderful weekend.
b. We’ve had a wonderful weekend.
10. a. Have you spoken to Mary?
b. Did you speak to Mary?

6. Finish the second sentence without changing the meaning.

1. It’s three months since she started studying English.
She has _______________________________________________________
2. Is this your first visit to London?
Have you _____________________________________________________
3. He hasn’t written to his parents for two months.
The last time __________________________________________________
4. You last wrote to me years ago.
You have _____________________________________________________
5. The last time my husband had a bath was five years ago.
My husband ___________________________________________________

7. Make sentences using the present perfect with FOR or SINCE according
to the sentences and words given. Use positive or negative forms as
indicated.
1. I stopped smoking eight years ago. (smoke/negative)
______________________________________________________________
2. He gave up alcohol after his car accident. (drink/negative)
______________________________________________________________
3. We started running two kilometres every morning in 1990. (run/positive)
______________________________________________________________

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4. I play squash every Friday night. This began when the squash court opened.
(play/positive)
______________________________________________________________
5. My brother began to be interested in folk music five years ago. (be/positive)
______________________________________________________________

8. Rewrite the sentences using “would” if possible and, if not, using “used
to”.
1. I liked that singer a lot.
2. The computer we had went down twice a month.
3. I thought that he was more reliable.
4. He visited his aunt twice a week.
5. Didn’t you wear glasses?
6. There was a tree in the garden.
7. I got up very early in the morning and went for long walks.
8. I hated having to get up so early.

9. Use a present tense (simple, progressive, or perfect) or the simple past to

fill in the blanks.
1. _______________ (you visit) the Uffizi when you were in Florence?
2. _______________ (you ever visit) the Uffizi?
3. I’m ashamed to say I _______________ (never read) the Divine Comedy.
4. When _______________ (you get) here?
5. I _______________ (live) in Valencia for ten years now.
6. I can’t help you just now, I _______________ (try) to finish this exercise.
7. I _______________ (know) Ann since we _______________ (be) children.
8. I’m a bit nervous, because this is the first time I _______________ (speak) in
public.
9. I am really exhausted, I _______________ (work) too much.
10. Just a second, I _______________ (not finish) this exercise yet.
11. Paul _______________ (call) a few minutes ago to say that he’d be late.
12. The sun _______________ (get) colder and colder.
13. I _______________ (not read) such a good novel for ages.
14. He’s not here, I’m afraid. He _______________ (just pop) out.

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10. Decide whether the sentences are right (R) or wrong (W). If they are
wrong you must correct them.
1. Mary comes for a drink this evening.
2. Phone me when you’ll have time.
3. I go to the beach about twice a year.
4. I know her since 1992.
5. What does he do?
6. He often play computer games with his PC.
7. As soon as I had put the phone down it rang again.
8. When I arrived at the party, she has already gone home.
9. I’m feeling OK.
10. I’m living in Valencia since 1980.
11. Have you had good weather last weekend?
12. I can’t go on holiday because I broke my leg.
13. It’s raining since Easter.

11. Use the simple present, the present perfect, the simple past, the simple
future or the future perfect.
1. This is the first time I _______________ (sleep) in a cell.
2. I _______________ (be) home until 10 o’clock tonight.
3. I _______________ (not hear) from Peter since he _______________ (phone)
to say good-bye.
4. By 2005 I _______________ (work) here for ten years.
5. How long _______________ (you wait)?
6. He _______________ (be) very depressed ever since she _______________
(leave) him.
7. It’s no use phoning right now, they _______________ (not arrive) yet.
8. What _____________ (you say)? I’m sorry I ______________ (not hear) you.

12. Fill in the blanks with the correct tense of the verb in brackets.
1. Ann _______________ (just phone), but she _______________ (say) she
_______________ (ring) back later on.
2. Unemployment _______________ (go) up all over Europe at the moment.
3. Mr Brown _______________ (wait) for half an hour when we
_______________ (finally get) to his office.

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4. He _______________ (not know really) anything about Ann, he
_______________ (not see) her since they _______________ (quarrel).
5. Paul _______________ (phone) a couple of minutes ago. Why
_______________ (you not phone) him back right now?
6. By the year 2005, a number of alternatives to silicon _______________
(become) commercially viable.
7. When I _______________ (get) home, I found the police _______________
(search) my flat.
8. Hello Ann, I _______________ (not see) you for ages.
9. I _______________ (live) in London for six months when I
_______________ (meet) your mother.
10. The Mediterranean _______________ (become) more and more polluted.
11. Don’t disturb Ann, she _______________ (have) a sleep.
12. How many people _______________ (live) in that house?
13. Hello Bob, congratulations! We _______________ (just hear) the good news.
Ann _______________ (tell) us about ten minutes ago.
14. When I _______________ (get) to the office yesterday, Paul
_______________ (speak) on the phone.
15. I _______________ (eat) snails twice in all my life.
16. When I _______________ (be) a child, I _______________ (live) in India.
17. What _______________ (happen) at the party last night?
18. I _______________ ( think) John’s in his office.
19. Don’t disturb her, she _______________ (think) about that maths problem.
20. I _______________ (study) English since 1986.
21. John _______________ (fly) to Tokyo next Friday.
22. I _______________ (know) Mary for about six years.
23. What ______________ (you do)? –I ______________ (try) to open this door.
24. What _______________ (he do)? –He’s a writer.
25. The ozone hole _______________ (become) bigger and bigger.
26. Paul can’t come to the party because he _______________ (break) his leg.
27. The boss is furious, he _______________ (hear) the bad news a couple of
minutes ago.
28. We _______________ (not be) able to cope with all the work since Ann
_______________ (leave).
29. It’s the first time I _______________ (drink) absinthe.
30. I _______________ (not read) a good novel for ages.

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13. Ask questions about the underlined elements.
1. The president and his wife are arriving at twelve thirty.
2. He works in Paris.
3. Nothing happened.
4. He’s short, fat and bad-tempered.
5. We were waiting for two hours.
6. It’s about ten miles to the nearest hospital.
7. You’ll need three-quarter-inch screws.
8. It cost over a thousand pounds.
9. She wrote to the minister.
10. There were seven of them.
11. He comes here about twice a week.
12. John wrote to me.
13. We were talking about the weather.
14. He drives a Ford.
15. He smokes Camel.
16. She likes detective novels.
17. I agree with her to some extent.
18. He’s tall and dark haired.

14. Rewrite the sentences with the new beginnings.

1. We first met in 1989.
We have _________________________________________________
2. At the moment there is a steady drop in the price of computers.
The price of computers ______________________________________
3. In the 1900s many alternatives to silicon will be developed.
By the year 2000 ___________________________________________
4. Your solution isn’t as simple as mine.
My solution is _____________________________________________
5. I began to work here in 1987.
I have ____________________________________________________
6. You should take a few days off work.
Why _____________________________________________________

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7. Paul went out a short while ago.
Paul has __________________________________________________
8. During the TV program my sister rang me up.
While ____________________________________________________
9. It’s unusual for Ann to forget things.
Ann _____________________________________________________
10. You’ll like the plot of the book you’re going to read.
When you ________________________________________________

15. Ask questions to which the following sentences could be replies. Bear in
mind the underlined element. Then reverse the polarity (positive -
negative) of the answers.
1. I have been waiting for a long time.
2. No, surprisingly enough, he didn’t give me any.
3. Yes, in fact, both his sisters came.
4. No, he doesn’t live here any more.
5. It’s a long way to London.
6. Yes, I drink a good deal of gin.
7. No, I never watch television.
8. Yes, it helped to some extent.
9. Yes, Ann’s already arrived.
10. No, I’m afraid he’s no better.
11. Yes, in fact, we were all surprised.
12. Yes, he’ll have arrived by now now.
13. Yes indeed, somebody did phone while you were out.
14. Yes, everything went wrong.

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