PAST TENSES



Past simple

- complete action

Ann watched TV a lot when she was ill last year.

Tom burnt his hand a week ago.


We also use the past simple to say that one thing happened  AFTER another.

I was walking along the road when I saw Dave. So I stopped and we had a chat.


Past continuous


We use the past continuous to say that someone was in the middle of doing something at a certain
time. The action or situation had already started before this time but had not finished.

Be careful, stative verbs do not take the ing form.


This time last year I was living in Brazil.

What were you doing yesterday at ten?

I waved to her but she wasn't looking.


Compare:

I was walking home when I met Dave. (= in the middle of walking home)

I walked home after the party last night. (= all the way, completely)


Sometimes it helps to consider “vid dokonavý a nedokonavý” in Czech.

Compare:

She was eating her dinner when the phone rang. (Jedla…)

She ate her dinner and washed the dishes. (Dojedla…)


Present perfect


When we use the present perfect there is always a connection with NOW. The action in the past has a
result now. Often used with giving new information or announcing a recent event.


Where's your key? I don't know I've lost it. (Now it is lost.)

Ow! I've cut my finger! (Now it is bleeding.)

The road is closed. There's been an accident. (The cars are still there.)


Often used with JUST, ALREADY and YET.


Have you just arrived? (a short time ago)

What time is Mark leaving? He's already gone. (something happened sooner than expected)

Has it stopped raining yet? (until now, for questions and negative sentences)


FOR, SINCE

I have lived in Brno since I was ten. (= I still live in Brno)

I have lived in Brno for five years. (= I still live in Brno)

I lived in Brno for five years. (= I no longer live there)


other expressions with the present perfect: recently, still, in the last few days, it's the first
time...


It can also be used as a so called experience tense:

Have you ever done bungee jumping? (meaning in your life)

I've never seen such a good performance.

It's the first time he has driven a car.

BUT My grandpa never smoked. (meaning he passed away)



Present perfect continuous


1 ongoing actions, emphasis on the duration of the action (similar to all continuous tenses)

We have been supplying our products to this company for a decade now. (We still supply them.)

How long has she been studying medicine? (She is still studying it.)


2 actions that have just finished

You seem out of breath. Have you been running? (a present result)


Both uses are possible with the same verb. It is clear from context whether the action is still
happening or not.


The roads are wet. It has been raining. (a present result, the action is not happening) X It has
been raining for two hours now. (It is still raining.)


Past perfect


Sarah arrived at the party (the starting point). When Sarah arrived at the party, Paul had already
gone home. (that happened before this time)


Jane didn't want to go to the cinema with us because she had already seen the film.


The man on the plane was very nervous. He hadn't flown before.


In Czech we use “už” to show what event happened first.

Paul už šel domů. šel domů.

Jane ten film už viděla.


Compare:


Was Tom at the party when you arrived? No, he had already gone home.

Was Tom there when you arrived? Yes, he went home soon afterwards.

Ann wasn't at home when I phoned. She was in London.

Ann had just got home when I phoned. She had been in London.


Past perfect continuous


I was tired yesterday as I had been working all day.



Past habits


I used to smoke when I was younger. ( = I don't do it any more)

It can be replaced by WOULD if it is a dynamic verb.


My grandpa would sit in his favourite armchair every afternoon.


Get used to + ing

I am getting used to exercising early. ( = it is a process for me, Zvykám si…)

I get used to exercising.

I got used to exercising.

I will get used to exercising.


To be used to + ing (or a noun)

I am used to working hard / hard work. ( = I don't find it strange, Jsem zvyklý…)