Aspects of the Past

Tense
Practice and Review
 As we have seen there are
three tenses and four aspect
in the English Language:
AspectTense Past Present Future

Simple Past Simple Present Simple Future Simple

Perfect Past Perfect Present Perfect Future Perfect

Present Future
Progressive Past Progressive
Progressive Progressive
Past Perfect Present Perfect Future Perfect
Perfect Progressive Progressive Progressive Progressive
 We are practicing and
reviewing the past
aspects
AspectTense Past Present Future

Simple Past Simple Present Simple Future Simple

Perfect Past Perfect Present Perfect Future Perfect

Present Future
Progressive Past Progressive
Progressive Progressive
Past Perfect Present Perfect Future Perfect
Perfect Progressive Progressive Progressive Progressive
 Distinguishing between
form and use
Form tells us what pattern to follow but not when to use it

Past Aspect Form

Past Simple -ed

Past Perfect past auxiliary + -ed

Past Progressive past to be + present participle -ing

Past Perfect
past auxiliary + past participle to be + present participle -ing
Progressive
 Grammar Usage Rules
(Can also be seen in your grammar textbook/handout)

Past Aspects Usage Rule

Past Simple The event is complete and remote

The event is completed prior to some other past

Past Perfect
event

The event is in progress in the past or simultaneous

Past Progressive
with some other event stated in simple past

Past Perfect The event takes place over a period of time in the past prior
Progressive to or interrupted by another past event
Another look at the
timeline:
But lets focus in on past
aspects
Lets create a text following usage
rules
Im going to use the topic of travel:
1. An event that is complete and remote (simple):
I travelled to Buenos Aires
2. An event that is completed prior to some other past event
(past perfect):
My husband had packed my suitcase
3. An event in progress or simultaneous to the simple past
event (past progressive):
We were sleeping on the plane.
4. An event that takes place over a period of time and
interrupted by the event stated in the simple past
(past perfect progressive):

I had been working a lot.

And when were left with just the
sentences:
Im going to use the topic of travel:
1. An event that is complete and remote (simple):
I travelled to Buenos Aires.
2. An event that is completed prior to some other past event
(past perfect):
My husband had packed my suitcase.
3. An event in progress or simultaneous to the simple past
event (past progressive):
We were sleeping on the plane.
4. An event that takes place over a period of time and
interrupted by the event stated in the simple past
(past perfect progressive):

I had been working a lot.

We can reorder the
sentences and add
depth:
I had been working a lot when

I travelled to Buenos Aires on a surprise trip.

My husband had packed my suitcase

without my knowing.
We were sleeping on the plane
because I was so tired.
Now you try one to share
and turn in by the end of
the class
Past Aspects Usage Rule
The event is
Your sentences

Past Simple complete and

remote
The event is
completed
Past Perfect prior to some
other past
event
The event is in
progress in the
past or
Past simultaneous
Progressive with some
other event
stated in
simple past
The event
takes place
over a period
Past Perfect of time in the
Progressive past prior to or
interrupted by
another past
event