Talking about the past tenses in English grammar is an important skill. We use past tenses to tell stories, share events, and talk about things that already happened.
To speak clearly, you must know how each past tense works and when to use it.
This guide from English Thrive explains the four past tenses in simple and clear steps. You will see clear rules, simple examples, and over 100 practice sentences to help you learn fast.
Let’s begin.
The Four Past Tenses in English
English has four main past tenses:
Past Simple
Past Continuous
Past Perfect
Past Perfect Continuous
Each tense has a different purpose and tells a different part of the story.
1. Past Simple
The past simple is the easiest way to talk about the past. We use it for actions that happened at a clear time. The action is finished.
When to Use It
For actions that are complete
For things that happened once or many times
For events with a clear time (yesterday, last night, in 2010)
Examples
“I visited Paris last year.”
“They graduated from college in 2010.”
2. Past Continuous
The past continuous shows an action that was happening at a moment in the past. It often shows background activity. It also shows something that was taking place when another action happened.
When to Use It
For an action happening at a set time in the past
For background events in a story
For actions interrupted by another action
For actions that went on for some time
Examples
“I was reading when you called.”
“They were playing football at 7 PM yesterday.”
3. Past Perfect
The past perfect shows an action that happened before another past action. It makes the order of events clear.
When to Use It
To show which action happened first
To talk about “past before past”
Examples
“I had finished my homework before I went to bed.”
“They had already left by the time I arrived.”
4. Past Perfect Continuous
The past perfect continuous shows an action that was happening for some time before another past event. It highlights how long something lasted.
When to Use It
For an action that continued up to a past moment
To show how long something had been happening
To explain a past result or cause
Examples
“I had been waiting for an hour when she arrived.”
“They had been working on the project for weeks before they finished.”
Past Simple vs. Past Continuous
These two tenses often confuse learners. Here’s a simple comparison:
| Feature | Past Simple | Past Continuous |
|---|---|---|
| Usage | Finished action at a definite time | Action in progress at a past moment |
| Example | “I ate dinner at 7 PM.” | “I was eating dinner at 7 PM.” |
| Time Reference | Specific point in time | Action happening around a time |
| Action Type | Short or complete action | Ongoing or interrupted action |
| Focus | Completion | Process or background activity |
When to Use Each
Past Simple: “I watched a movie last night.”
Past Continuous: “I was watching a movie when you called.”
100+ Examples of Talking About the Past Tense in English Grammar
Past Simple Examples
I visited my grandparents last weekend.
She bought a new car yesterday.
They watched a movie last night.
He worked late last night.
We went to the beach last summer.
I ate lunch at 12 PM.
He played football yesterday.
She graduated from college last year.
We had a great time at the party.
I read that book last month.
She called me yesterday.
They slept for eight hours.
I wrote a letter to my friend.
We moved to a new city last year.
He studied hard for his exams.
She learned how to swim as a child.
I spent the weekend at the park.
They met at the conference last week.
I finished my homework early.
He traveled to Paris last summer.
Past Continuous Examples
I was eating dinner when you called.
She was reading when I arrived.
They were playing football at 3 PM.
I was studying all night.
We were watching TV when the power went out.
He was running when it rained.
I was working when you visited.
They were having a meeting when I walked in.
She was waiting for the bus.
We were talking when the phone rang.
I was walking down the street when I saw him.
He was practicing piano when I called.
They were cooking dinner when I arrived.
She was studying all week.
We were planning our vacation.
I was driving when I heard the news.
He was working at the company for two years.
We were talking about you.
I was listening to music when I fell asleep.
She was running in the park yesterday.
Past Perfect Examples
I had finished my homework before I went out.
They had already left when I arrived.
She had read the book before class.
We had eaten dinner before they arrived.
He had completed the project early.
I had known him for years before he moved.
They had gone to the store when I called.
I had seen the movie before we watched it again.
She had studied before the test.
We had traveled to many countries before we settled.
He had visited France before moving there.
I had spoken to him earlier.
They had finished the presentation early.
I had heard the news before you told me.
We had done our shopping before the storm.
He had worked at the company for five years.
She had arrived before the event started.
I had taken the test before results came out.
They had made plans before the party.
We had never met before the conference.
Past Perfect Continuous Examples
I had been waiting for an hour when he arrived.
She had been studying for three hours.
They had been working for weeks.
We had been living in the city for five years.
He had been reading the book for days.
I had been walking for an hour.
They had been playing for hours.
We had been watching TV before the power went out.
I had been driving for two hours.
He had been studying all day.
We had been talking for hours.
They had been planning the event for months.
I had been working on the project for weeks.
She had been cooking all day.
They had been waiting in line for an hour.
I had been exercising for 30 minutes.
We had been discussing the topic for hours.
He had been living in London for two years.
I had been writing my report for hours.
She had been waiting for me.
Mixed Past Tense Examples
I have visited Paris many times, but I visited again last summer.
He had been waiting for hours when he got the call.
She was studying when I called her yesterday.
We had already left when they arrived.
I was cooking when I heard a knock.
They had been working hard, but they finished in time.
She had never seen such a view before.
We were watching TV when the lights went out.
I had gone to bed before the storm.
He was running when he fell.
They had been playing before it rained.
I have known him for years; he is my best friend.
She was taking a nap when I called.
We had worked on the project for weeks.
He had been studying before taking a break.
I was waiting for the bus when I saw him.
They had finished their work before leaving.
She had been traveling when she met her husband.
I had already eaten when they invited me.
They had been arguing for hours before resolving it.
Final Thoughts
Talking about the past is an important skill. We use it in daily life. When you learn the four past tenses, you can share past events in a clear way.
Use the examples in this guide to practice. With a little practice, you will feel sure and ready to talk about past events in English.