A review of the past simple, past continuous, and past perfect. *Adapted from: Teacher Resource PowerPoints for Understanding & Using English Grammar, 5th edition

1. Narrative
Verb Tenses

2. • Miguel graduated last year with a degree in civil
engineering. While he was working on his
degree, he became interested in the use of
virtual technology in engineering. When he
completed his degree, he found a job with a new
company. The company was experimenting with
virtual reality. Miguel finished his first project last
month. While he was planning the project, he
used virtual reality to view and edit each step.
This technology helped him visualize his plans.

3. Miguel graduated last year.
graduated
last year
NOW
Use the simple past for a verb that began and ended at a
particular time in the past.

4. While he was working on his degree, he
became interested in virtual reality.
working
on
degree
became
interested
in virtual
reality
NOW
Use the past progressive for activities that were in
progress at a particular time in the past.

5. 1.While the engineer ______________ (work) on her project, she
used virtual reality technology to view her plans.
2. Last week Miguel ___________ (complete) two projects.
3. The students _____________ (wear) their headsets when the
power suddenly went out.
4. By 2010, many universities _____________ (offer) courses in
virtual reality software.
5. The technology company __________ (open) in 2010.
was working
completed
were wearing
were offering
opened
PRACTICE 2: Complete each sentence with the correct past
tense form of the verb.

6. 6
4-8 PAST PERFECT
When they arrived
at the store, it had
already closed.

7. 7
4-8 PAST PERFECT
(a) When they arrived at the store, it had
already closed.
two events in the past
1st event - Past Perfect
2nd event – Simple Past

8. 8
4-8 PAST PERFECT
(b) The store had already closed when
they arrived.
FORM: had + past participle

9. 9
4-8 PAST PERFECT
(c) It’d closed.
She’d gone home.
He’d gone home.
They’d gone home.
We’d gone home.
You’d gone home.
CONTRACTION:
I / you / she / he / it / we / they + ’d

10. 10
4-8 PAST PERFECT
(e) Andrea finished dinner before Kris got home.
(d) Andrea had finished dinner before Kris got home.
(f) Kris had gotten home after Andrea finished dinner.
(g) Kris got home after Andrea finished dinner.
before
and
after
=
Clear time
relationship
Perfect
tense not
necessary

11. 11
4-8 PAST PERFECT
1st
2nd
I had already gone to bed when it started
snowing.
a. it started snowing ____
b. I went to bed ____1st
2nd

12. 12
4-8 PAST PERFECT
1st
2nd
I tried to go shopping, but the store had
closed.
a. store closed ____
b. tried to go shopping ____
1st
2nd

13. 13
4-8 PAST PERFECT
1st
2nd
A friend called to suggest a good movie.
She had seen it last Friday.
a. the friend saw the movie ____
b. the friend called ____
1st
2nd