DESCRIBING PAST EVENTS 

   

   Narrative:     1. Main events

   The past simple is used to describe finished events in the past, one thing happening after
   another.

                                                  Susan went into the station and bought a
   ticket.

                          

   2. Background description

   The past continuous is used to describe actions still in progress (when we were in the middle
   of doing st.), and is used for background description (while, when, just as).           
               Just as I was leaving the house, the phone rang.

               There were a lot of people waiting in the station. Some were sleeping on the
   benches, and others were walking up and down. Sarah was looking for Graham so she didnīt sit
   down.

   

                           3. Past before past

   The past perfect is used to describe a past event which took place before another past event.
   Past simple (arrived) is the starting point of the story.

               By the time the train arrived, Susan had managed to push her way to the front of
   the crowd.

   (Note: Had done is the past of have done

               Who is that woman? Iīve never seen her before.

               I didnīt know who she was. Iīd never seen her before)

   It is not always necessary if a time expression makes the order of events clear.

               Before the train arrived, Susan managed to push her way to the front of the crowd.

   

               WATCH OUT!           The patient died. The doctor arrived.

                                                  The patient died when the doctor arrived.

                                                  The patient had died when the doctor arrived.

               The doctor arrived quickly, but the patient had already died.

   

   Past perfect continuous is used to describe a period of time before something else happened.

               At last the bus came. I had been waiting for twenty minutes.

   It wasnīt raining when we went out. The sun was shining. But it had been raining, so the
   ground was wet.

   

   4. Interrupted past continuous

   We often contrast an action still in progress with a sudden event which interrupts it.

               While Susan was trying to get onto the platform, a man grabbed her handbag.

   

                           5. Participle clauses

   are introduced by the time expressions before, after and while. They have the same subject as
   the following clause.

               After struggling with him, Susan pulled the bag from his hands.

   

   Habits in the past:

                           1. Past simple

   is used to describe past habits or states. A time expression is usually necessary.

               I always got up at six those days.  (HABIT)

               I lived in Australia for several years. (STATE)

   

                           2. Used to

   is used to describe past habits, usually in contrast with the present. A time expression in
   NOT necessary.

                                                  I used to get up at six, but now I get up at
   eight.

                                      Used to can also describe past states.

                                                  I used to own a horse. (I owned a horse once.)

                                      Note these forms of used to:          I didnīt use to like
   beer.

                                                  Did you use to swim every day?

                           3. Would

   is used to describe a personīs typical activities in the past. It can only be used to describe
   repeated actions, and is mainly used in writing, and in personal reminiscences.

               Every evening was the same. Jack would turn on the radio, light his pipe and fall
   asleep.

   

                           4. Past continuous

   can be used to describe a repeated action in the past, often an annoying habit. A frequency
   adverb is necessary.

               When Peter was younger, he was always lying.

   

                                     Politeness and uncertainty

                           The past continuous with the verb wonder has a polite meaning.

                                      I was wondering if you could help me.

                           With the verb think it suggests uncertainty.

                                      I was thinking of having a party next week.