1.3: Past Simple and Continuous

Question 1

The past simple is used for past events such as:

Answer 1

• Short, quickly finished actions in the past
• Longer situations in the past
• Repeated events in the past

Question 2

How to know when to use the past simple? (5 indications)

Answer 2

1- TIme is given (I met him yesterday)
2- Time is asked about (When did you meet him?)
3- Time is implied –> How did you land that job? (Job is already yours)
4- Event took place in a period of time that has now ended. –> He lived in Madrid when he was younger (He is now an adult)
5- Past habits –> They never drank (before)

Question 2

How is the past simple made? (2 ways)

Answer 2

• Regular forms = full verb +ed
• Irregular forms = Standard irregular forms

Question 2

When a specific past time (year, month, other date) is mentioned…

Answer 2

You must use a past simple (or a past perfect.
Taylor Swift released (past simple) her album ‘1989’ in 2014 (specific time).

Question 2

Name markers that indicate past time.

Answer 2

• Yesterday
• When I was … old…
• While…
• At what time…?
• How long ago?
• Etc.

Question 2

Past continuous: Uses

Answer 2

• Action in progress at point of time in the past
• Changing or developing situations in the past
• Interrupted actions in the past
• Irritation in the past

Question 2

Past continuous: How is it made?

Answer 2

For of to be (was/were) + full verb + ing

Question 2

Used to…. (uses)

Answer 2

• To talk about things that often happened in the past
• To state things that were true but aren’t anymore
  NOTE: Thesesentences always refer to the past

Question 3

Used to… - How is it made? (aff + ques + negatives)

Answer 3

Used to + full verb
Affirmatives: I used to
Questions: Did I use to?
Negatives: I didn’t use to