Past Simple vs Past Continuous vs Past Perfect

Exercises

Explanation

1. Past Simple

We use the Past Simple for completed actions in the past, usually with a clear time.

Time markers: yesterday, last week, in 2010, two hours ago

Form

• Affirmative: V2

• Negative: didn’t + V1

• Questions: Did + subject + V1?

Examples

• I visited my cousin last weekend.

• She didn’t eat breakfast this morning.

• Did you watch the match yesterday?

2. Past Continuous

We use the Past Continuous for:

A. An action in progress at a specific time in the past
B. Two actions happening at the same time
C. A long action interrupted by a shorter action (Past Simple)

Time markers: at 6 p.m., while, when, all day, from 3 to 5

Form

• Affirmative: was/were + verb-ing

• Negative: wasn’t/weren’t + verb-ing

• Questions: Was/Were + subject + verb-ing?

Examples

• At 4 p.m., I was studying for my exam.

• They were walking in the park when it started to rain.

• We were cooking while the kids were playing.

3. Past Perfect

We use the Past Perfect to show that one action happened before another past action.

Earlier action → Past Perfect
Later action → Past Simple

Time markers: before, after, by the time, already, just

Form

• Affirmative: had + V3

• Negative: hadn’t + V3

• Questions: Had + subject + V3?

Examples

• She had finished the book before the lesson started.

• They hadn’t travelled abroad before last year.

• Had you eaten before you arrived?

4. Quick Comparison

5. Summary

• Use Past Simple for a completed action.

• Use Past Continuous for an action happening at a specific time or during another action.

• Use Past Perfect for the earlier of two past events.