Difference between revisions of "Language/English/Grammar/Express-Past"
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It is normally only used when one past event has to be situated in a more distant past than another past event. | It is normally only used when one past event has to be situated in a more distant past than another past event. | ||
*Examples: I got off the train when a bell rang. | *Examples: I got off the train when a bell rang. | ||
Note: | |||
past tense -> short action that was completed in the past; | |||
It indicates only a short action/period of time: "I saw a bird flying across the sky." -> we don't see the bird anymore. | |||
past perfect tense -> actions that lasted longer and are still taking place at the moment of speech (now); | |||
"It has beeb raining for hours!" it is still raining now! | |||
"I have been to Vienna several times" -> the experience still lasts until today! | |||
Now, in contrary you may say "I was in Vienna last week." Why do we use the past tense? We are not in Vienna anymore! | |||
"I have been in Vienna since last week." Why do we use the past perfect tense? Why are still in Vienna! | |||
I hope this helped at least a little bit, if not, feel free to message me! | |||
Revision as of 18:20, 27 June 2017
Here is a quick article on how to express the past tenses in English.
The simple past.
It is used to talk about past events in a historic context using yesterday, or a date or time.
- Example: He died in 1920.
The Present Perfect
It is used to situate past events in relation to the present situation.
- Examples: I have just ordered a new TV
The past perfect
It is normally only used when one past event has to be situated in a more distant past than another past event.
- Examples: I got off the train when a bell rang.
Note:
past tense -> short action that was completed in the past; It indicates only a short action/period of time: "I saw a bird flying across the sky." -> we don't see the bird anymore.
past perfect tense -> actions that lasted longer and are still taking place at the moment of speech (now); "It has beeb raining for hours!" it is still raining now!
"I have been to Vienna several times" -> the experience still lasts until today!
Now, in contrary you may say "I was in Vienna last week." Why do we use the past tense? We are not in Vienna anymore!
"I have been in Vienna since last week." Why do we use the past perfect tense? Why are still in Vienna!
I hope this helped at least a little bit, if not, feel free to message me!