1. PAST TENSES:

2. Past Tenses There are four past tenses in English: Past simple
Past continuous
Past perfect
Past perfect continuous (progressive)

3. Past simple: uses I got up, switched off the TV, and sat down again.
Why are we using the past simple here?

4. (CONSECUTIVE) FINISHED ACTIONS IN THE PAST
Past simple: uses
(CONSECUTIVE) FINISHED ACTIONS IN THE PAST

5. Past simple: uses When I was younger, I went to the park every day.
Why are we using the past simple here?

6. Past simple: uses PAST HABITS
Used to (actions and states) and would (actions) are also possible:
I used to be addicted to chocolate.
When I was younger, I would get up at 6.

7. Past simple: uses I wish I knew where your father was.
It’s time you got your own car.
Why are we using the past simple here?

8. TO EXPRESS WISHES ABOUT THE PRESENT
Past simple: uses
TO EXPRESS WISHES ABOUT THE PRESENT

9. Past continuous: uses John: I rang you at one but you weren’t in.
Mary: I was. I was having lunch at one.
Why are we using the past continuous here?

10. Past continuous: uses ACTIONS IN PROGRESS IN THE PAST
Sometimes there’s an idea of interruption:
I was working at my office when I got a phone call.

11. Past continuous: uses
On the dance floor half a dozen couples were throwing themselves around. Most of them were dancing cheek to cheek.
Why are we using the past continuous here?

12. BACKGROUND DESCRIPTIONS IN STORIES
Past continuous: uses
BACKGROUND DESCRIPTIONS IN STORIES

13. Past continuous: uses
I wish you weren’t chasing these impossible dreams.
It’s about time we were leaving.
Why are we using the past continuous here?

14. TO EXPRESS WISHES ABOUT ACTIONS IN PROGRESS
Past continuous: uses
TO EXPRESS WISHES ABOUT ACTIONS IN PROGRESS

15. Past perfect: uses The pilot told the police what had happened.
Why are we using the past perfect simple here?

16. Past perfect: uses
ACTIONS IN THE PAST THAT OCCURRED BEFORE ANOTHER PAST ACTION
If the order of events is clear, we can use the Past simple:
I waited until everybody (had) arrived.

17. Past perfect: uses If only I had known you were coming.
Why are we using the past perfect simple here?

18. TO EXPRESS WISHES ABOUT THE PAST, USUALLY TO EXPRESS REGRET
Past perfect: uses
TO EXPRESS WISHES ABOUT THE PAST, USUALLY TO EXPRESS REGRET

19. Past perfect continuous: uses
The boat had been sailing in calm when a cow fell from the sky.
Why are we using the past perfect continuous here?

20. Past perfect continuous: uses
A LONGER ACTION IN THE PAST THAT OCCURRED BEFORE ANOTHER PAST ACTION