1. Past Indedefinite Tense:
Structure: Subject + Verb (past) + Object
The Past Indefinite Tense is used to express a simple action in the past.
This tense is used to express -
a. An action done in the past: Rafiq got a prize.
aa. In the unreal past , Past Indefinite tense is used after as if, as though, it is time, it is high time, if, only, wish, would rather.
- I wish I sang. It is high time we started working.
b. A regular past habit: He studied regularly. (or we may say ‘used to‘
before the present form of verb)
He used to study regularly.
Note: For an irregular past habit would is used after the verb:
He would come here while he was in Dhaka.
I would walk in the morning. In my childhood, I would go to school with my mother.
c. Action of two verbs going on at the same time:
While we worked they played (while we were working, they were playing).
d. Action of a definite time in the past (when yesterday, ago, since - these words come):
d. Action of a definite time in the past (when yesterday, ago, since - these words come):
He came at 3 p.m.
They came
yesterday. He died many days ago.
yesterday. He died many days ago.
I saw her long since.
Father came home last night.
He came here seven days ago.
2. Past Continuous Tense:
Structure: Subject + was/were + verb-ing + object
a. It denotes an action going on in the past:
The sun was rising when you woke up. They were playing in the garden.
b. When repetition of action is mentioned through the usages of always, continually, for ever in the past time.
- Rina was always calling me.
Note: In case of definite future arrangement like Present Continuous Tense.
- I was busy packing because I was going to France that night.
3. Past Perfect Tense:
Structure: subject + had + verb ( past participle) + object
It denotes an action that was completed before another past action:
a. I had reached the school before the bell rang.
b. He said that he had finished his lesson.
c. The train had already left when I reached the station.
Note: If the sentence contains ‘before’ the following sequence is maintained:
Past perfect tense + before + past indefinite tense.
- I had reached the station before the train left.
If the sentence contains ‘after’ the following sequence is maintained:
2. Past Continuous Tense:
Structure: Subject + was/were + verb-ing + object
a. It denotes an action going on in the past:
The sun was rising when you woke up. They were playing in the garden.
b. When repetition of action is mentioned through the usages of always, continually, for ever in the past time.
- Rina was always calling me.
Note: In case of definite future arrangement like Present Continuous Tense.
- I was busy packing because I was going to France that night.
3. Past Perfect Tense:
Structure: subject + had + verb ( past participle) + object
It denotes an action that was completed before another past action:
a. I had reached the school before the bell rang.
b. He said that he had finished his lesson.
c. The train had already left when I reached the station.
Note: If the sentence contains ‘before’ the following sequence is maintained:
Past perfect tense + before + past indefinite tense.
- I had reached the station before the train left.
If the sentence contains ‘after’ the following sequence is maintained:
Past indefinite tense + after + past perfect tense
- The train left after I had reached the station.
If the sentence is introduced by no sooner had, hardly had, scarcely had, the subject is used before ‘had’:
No sooner had we reached the station than the train left.
Hardly had we reached home when it began to rain.
Scarcely had we reached home before it began to rain.
Note: If two past actions are conjucted with that , Past Perfect is used after that.
- Ruma said that Tinni had done the work.
4. Past Perfect Continuous Tense :
Structure: subject + had been + verb-ing + ...
This tense denotes that an action had
been going on before another past action.
- I had been watching 'Lords of the Ring' when he came.
Note: To indicate the repeated action of Past Perfect Tense:
I had been trying to get Majnu on the messenger.
- The train left after I had reached the station.
If the sentence is introduced by no sooner had, hardly had, scarcely had, the subject is used before ‘had’:
No sooner had we reached the station than the train left.
Hardly had we reached home when it began to rain.
Scarcely had we reached home before it began to rain.
Note: If two past actions are conjucted with that , Past Perfect is used after that.
- Ruma said that Tinni had done the work.
4. Past Perfect Continuous Tense :
Structure: subject + had been + verb-ing + ...
This tense denotes that an action had
been going on before another past action.
- I had been watching 'Lords of the Ring' when he came.
Note: To indicate the repeated action of Past Perfect Tense:
I had been trying to get Majnu on the messenger.
