Past (Active Voice). Usage, Formation and Examples.

Past Simple

(Active Voice)

Past Continuous

(Active Voice)

Past Perfect

(Active Voice)

Past Perfect Continuous

(Active Voice)

Usage

1)For an action which took place at a definite time in the past; 2)for repeated actions in the past; 3)for actions which took place one after the other in the past.

Usage

1)For an action which was in progress at a stated time in the past; 2) for several simultaneous actions which were in progress in the past

3)State verbs do not normally have Continuous tenses (like, believe, understand, feel, hear, etc.).

Usage

For an action which had taken place before another past action or before a stated time in the past (by, till, before).

Usage

1)For putting an emphasis on

the duration of the action which lasted for some time in the past 2)before another past action or stated time in the past (for, since) + (by, till, before).

Formation

(Aff). S+pr+(ed / II form)+ object +adv.modif. of place + adv. modif. of time.

(-).S+aux.v.(did)+not +v +object + adv.modif. of place + adv. modif. of time.

(?).Aux.v.(Did))+s+v+object+ adv.modif. of place + adv. modif. of time?

Formation

(Aff). S+pr(was/were+v+ing) + object +adv.modif. of place + adv. modif. of time.

(―)=S+aux.v.( was/were+not+v+ing) + object +adv.modif. of place + adv. modif. of time.

(?).Aux.v.( was/were) + S+ v+ing + object +adv.modif. of place + adv. modif. of time?

Formation

(Aff)=S+aux.v.(had)+v(3^rd form/ed)+object+adv modif. of place + (by, till, before)+adv. modif. of time.

(-) =S+aux.v.(had) not+ v(3^rd form/ed)+object + adv.modif. of place +(by, till, before) + adv. modif. of time.

(?)=Aux.v.(had)+s+v(3^rdform/ed)+object+ adv.modif. of place + (by, till, before)+adv. modif. of time?

Formation

(Aff)= S +)+ aux.v.(had been v(+ing)+object+adv modif. of place + (since, for)+adv. modif. of time+(till,by,before) + adv. modif. of time.

(-) =S+aux.v.+had not been+ v(+ ing)+object + adv.modif. of place +( since, for) + adv. modif. of time.

(?)=Aux.v(had)+s+been+v(ing)+object+ adv.modif. of place + (for,since)+ (before, till, by)+adv. modif. of time?

Examples

The architecture of the machine referred to many combinations last year.

The architecture of the machine did not refer to many combinations three years ago.

Did the architecture of the machine refer to many combinations last year?

Examples

The hardware of a computer was doing something particularly useful by itself two hours ago

The hardware of a computer was not doing anything particularly useful by itself two hours ago.

Was the hardware of a computer doing anything particularly useful by itself two hours ago or one hour ago?

Examples

A computer without

software had been able automatically to balance a checkbook, transmit electronic mail, or even add a pair of numbers till yesterday.

A computer without

software had not been able automatically to balance a checkbook, transmit electronic mail, or even add a pair of numbers till yesterday.

Had a computer without software been able automatically to balance a checkbook, transmit electronic mail, or even add a pair of numbers till yesterday?

Examples

The drill had been providing generic hardware for a month

before the beginning of the test.

The drill had not been providing generic hardware for a month

before the beginning of the test.

Why had the drill been providing generic hardware for a month

before the beginning of the test?