Past Tense in English – Proper Use of all 4 Types with Examples

Past Tense in English: Many times we need to speak about the incidences which occurred in the past, may be on the day before or in last week, or in last year. In such situations use of past tense is mandatory. So let us have a closer look at Past Tense in English.

What is Past Tense and when to use it?​

Past tense is nothing but the time period before. It may be yesterday, last week, last year, last night or even an hour before.

The actions which took place in past are always written in Past Tense.

For Example,

1. I met a boy.
2. My mother caught a bus.
3. He played carrom.
4. My father was opening his shop.
5. George found a new book.
6. Jerry was in market.
7. He was bringing some sweets.
8. John had gathered all the material.
9. Sam and Johnny were wearing spects.
10. Uncle had spoken the truth.

What are the types of Past Tense in English?​

In English we have 4 types of Past Tenses. They are as follows:

1. Simple Past Tense
2. Continuous Past Tense
3. Perfect Past Tense
4. Perfect Continuous Past Tense

So let us explore these all 4 types one by one.

1. Simple Past Tense​

The actions which took place in past period are expressed in simple past tense.

The structure of sentence in simple past tense is as:

subject + was /were/ had / v2 + object

v2 is nothing but second form or past form of a verb.

Each and every verb has 3 forms:

1. Basic verb / root verb (v1)
2. Past Form (v2)
3. Past Participle (v3)

Examples of Simple Past Tense​

1. I was in the zoo.
2. They were happy yesterday.
3. George jumped from bed.
4. This created a major difference.
5. My father called me.
6. Shirin and her friend visited the park.
7. Uncle John slapped his son.
8. We roamed in the garden.
9. Mother cooked some extraordinary dishes yesterday.
10. I played with my younger sister.

2. Past Continuous Tense​

The actions which were going on in past are expressed in past continuous tense.

It is also called as past progressive tense

The structure of sentence in simple past tense is as:

subject + was /were + verb + ing + object

Examples of Past Continuous Tense​

1. The cat was drinking water.
2. The plants were making food.
3. Uncle George was keeping the glass on table.
4. Father was reading the newspaper.
5. My fitness trainer was giving me some instructions.
6. Yoga teacher was teaching yoga.
7. People were searching for the thief.
8. My family was enjoying the movie.
9. I was writing an e-mail.
10. Grandfather was talking to somebody.

3. Past Perfect Tense​

The actions which started in past and also got completed in past are written in Past Perfect Tense.

The structure of sentence in Past Perfect Tense is as:

subject +had + v3 + object

Examples of Past Perfect Tense​

1. I had done my homework.
2. She had written the letter.
3. Priya had eaten all the apples.
4. You had completed the essay.
5. We had travelled a lot.
6. They had forgotten to call me.
7. My students had passed out from the school.
8. Players had performed very well.
9. Father had driven the car.
10. My aunt had submitted her theory.

4. Past Perfect Continuous Tense​

The actions which started in the past and continued up until another time in the past are written in Past Perfect Continuous Tense.

It is also called as Past Perfect Progressive Tense.

The structure of sentence in Past Perfect Continuous Tense is as:

subject + had + been + verb + ing + object

Examples of Past Perfect Continuous Tense​

1. I had been driving a car.
2. My phone had been ringing.
3. India had been progressing.
4. Farukh had been walking on the road.
5. Shirin had been preparing the breakfast.
6. Mr. Angel had been gifting a car to his brother.
7. My keyboard had been breaking.
8. My friends had been discussing about tomorrow’s picnic.
9. Our school had been arranging a student’s meet.
10. Father had been doing his job.

FAQs on Past Tense in English​

What are the 4 types of past tense?
The 4 types of past tenses are:

1. Simple Past Tense
2. Continuous Past Tense
3. Perfect Past Tense
4. Perfect Continuous Past Tense

What is a past tense?
Actions took place in past period is called past tense.

What is the formula of simple past tense?
The formula of simple past tense is: subject + was/ were / v2 / had + object

Final words on Past Tense in English​

So finally let us summarize what is past tense.

Past tense is nothing but the time in past may be it is yesterday, last week, last month, last year, last night, last moment anything.

There are 4 types of past tense:

1. Simple Past Tense
2. Continuous Past Tense
3. Perfect Past Tense
4. Perfect Continuous Past Tense

Each and every type has different formula or structure.