How to talk about the Past

Past Simple

FORM

affirmative

Regular Verbs

verb + '-ed'

Irregular Verbs

the 2nd column in the list of irregular verbs

negative

auxiliary verb 'did' + not + infinitive without 'to'

interrogative

Did + Subject + infinitive without 'to'

USES

finished actions in the past

Past Perfect

FORM

affirmative

had + past participle

negative

had + not + past participle

interrogative

Had + Subject + past participle?

USES

past in the past, an action that happened before another past action

USED TO

FORM

affirmative

used to + infinitive without 'to'

negative

did + not + use to + infinitive without 'to'

interrogative

Did + Subject + use to + infinitive without 'to'?

USES

to describe past habits

WOULD

FORM

afirmative

would + infinitive without 'to'

negative

would + not + infinitive without 'to'

interrogative

Would + Subject + infinitive without 'to'?

USES

to describe past habits - only with action verbs

Past Continuous

FORM

affirmative

was/ were + '-ing'

negative

was / were + not + '-ing'

interrogative

Was / were + SUBJECT + '-ing'?

USES

actions in progress in the past.

Past Perfect Continuous

FORM

affirmative

had + been + '-ing'

negative

had + not + been + '-ing'

interrogative

Had + Subject + been + '-ing'?

USES

an action in progress in the past that happened before another past action

Modal verbs

COULD

past ability

HAD TO

past obligation

MIGHT

past possibility