Questions tagged [past-simple]
Questions related to the past simple, simple past or preterite, which is mainly used to describe events in the past.
608
questions
-1
votes
0answers
9 views
“I did my homework till midnight” vs. “I was doing my homework till midnight”
Could you tell me if there is any difference in meaning between the following sentences?
I did my homework till midnight, and then I went to bed.
I was doing my homework till midnight, and then I ...
0
votes
1answer
19 views
Five months ago, I {decided/have decided} to learn how to play the piano
Five months ago, I {decided/have decided} to learn how to play the
piano.
Is "Five months ago" a definite time?
I have read that when there is a definite time, I should use the simple past ...
0
votes
0answers
29 views
“Until now I didn't realize that…” vs. “until now I hadn't realized that…” [duplicate]
Could you tell me if there is any difference in meaning between the following sentences?
Until now I didn't realize that you can sing so well.
Until now I hadn't realized that you can sing so well.
...
0
votes
0answers
16 views
since the first time + past simple or present perfect [duplicate]
which sentence would you choose in this situation and why?
I rode a bike in 2019 and I haven't driven bike ever since
A: It’s been years since I’ve ridden a bike.
B: It's been years since I rode a ...
-1
votes
0answers
14 views
When, While, past continous, past simple
What is the correct way?
"I met my friend when I was working at school for six months"
or
"I met my friend when I worked at school for six months"
or
"I met my friend ...
1
vote
1answer
10 views
handled (past tense used for future events)
Why is this sentence correct: If not handled well, it may result in a fire.
Why use past tense? How to know when to use it?
1
vote
1answer
20 views
what's the difference between since + present perfect and since + past simple when since is not used as because
What's the difference between since + present perfect and since + past simple when since is not used as because?
I've seen both being used but never really understood what's the difference -between ...
0
votes
0answers
26 views
Can someone help me with these examples of got and gotten?
I've got 2 questions.
Is it correct to say: He's got me something / he's got me a present? Or can you just say: He got me something / he got me a present?
My second question: When someone gave you ...
0
votes
1answer
10 views
past participle and past simple
The paintings have been proven to be fakes
The paintings proved to be fakes
Questions:
What is the difference between using has been proven and proved? I know one is a past participle and one is ...
0
votes
1answer
21 views
Did I use correct tenses in this sentence?
Regarding my competence in speaking about this topic, I could say that:
I learned German at school, or I was learning German at School.
I studied German, or I was studying German.
0
votes
3answers
47 views
Past simple and present simple
Should I say
“I saw the kid. He is sleeping on the couch”
or
“I see the kid. He is sleeping on the couch”
1
vote
1answer
30 views
She fell off her bike three times this week vs She has fallen off her bike three times this week
The book I'm studying gives as the correct answer the following sentence :
She fell off her bike three times this week.
Is present perfect simple incorrect in this case? (She has fallen over three ...
3
votes
2answers
46 views
Can “before” be equal to “when” in certain contexts?
There are the following sentences:
"I had been waiting for three months before they finally sent
me an answer"
"He had been waiting for the bus for 10 minutes before it arrived"
...
0
votes
1answer
23 views
“I made sure we choose/chose items that doesn’t use the most plastic.”
In the following sentence:
Yesterday, when I was shopping with my mum, I made sure we choose items that doesn’t use the most plastic.
Which is correct: to say I made sure we (choose) or (chose)?
0
votes
1answer
29 views
is it ok to use “is” with past participle?
I prefer using "is" sometimes with past participle.
ex-
Your screen is frozen.
Your case is picked.
your device is repaired.
in both the examples, I consider frozen, picked as an adjective ...
0
votes
1answer
29 views
a matter of style or a necessity to use past simple in this text
South London called Broadway Sound. Early on the morning of August 12th 1982 the band, comprising of Colin Swan, Geno Buckmaster, Brian Grover and their trusty roadie ‘Robbo’ assembled at the tiny ...
1
vote
1answer
23 views
Past tense in hypothetical statement?
I don't understand why this sentence is correct: What would you do if this happened to you?
Why use happened and not happen(s)? Is it because it's an imagined situation?
Do we always have to use past ...
0
votes
1answer
15 views
Until (till) and tenses in the main clause. Why prefer one over another?
They had been playing soccer until it started to rain.
They played soccer until it started to rain.
Is there any reason you should prefer one over the other? Grammar resources say that the word "...
0
votes
3answers
26 views
“is” or “was,” when we tell the time of something
Do we say "it is ×× years ago?"
If I'm trying to describe a cartoon, and there is a line that says "30 years ago" on one of pictures of this cartoon, should I say "it was 30 ...
0
votes
1answer
27 views
Double past tense in a sentence. Allowed or not allowed?
May I know what is the rule on using two past tenses in a sentence? Why are some allowed and others not?
Examples:
I did not tell him...
I knew he was going to...
Some people told me that double ...
0
votes
1answer
30 views
I scheduled a meeting with him for Monday
Let's suppose my manager asks (via email) me to talk to our vendor representative and sort out some issues:
Please, contact him and try to sort the issues out.
After scheduling a meeting with the ...
1
vote
1answer
41 views
I've scheduled a meeting with him on Monday
Let's suppose my manager asks (via email) me to talk to our vendor representative and sort out some issues:
Please, contact him and try to sort the issues out.
After scheduling a meeting with the ...
0
votes
1answer
72 views
Why don't these sentences use the same tense?
It turned out that what happened was different from what I had expected in my mind.
The resultant situation is something that happened later in time than when you made predictions about the same.
I ...
0
votes
1answer
28 views
What is the best “had or had expected ” in this case
It turned out that what happened was different from what I expected in my mind.
I would like to know if my sentence is idiomatic and if we can write the following?
It turned out that what happened ...
2
votes
3answers
65 views
Why are things from the past talked about using past tense?
This is from Wikipedia:
Gilligan's Island is an American sitcom created and produced by Sherwood Schwartz. The show had an ensemble cast that featured Bob Denver, Alan Hale Jr., Jim Backus, Natalie ...
0
votes
2answers
46 views
Second verb after the simple past
I recently noticed that if the first verb of a sentence is past simple, the second verb must be the base form of the verb.
For example:
I made her suffer.
But I saw the following sentence in my book
...
0
votes
1answer
27 views
Why is past simple preferred to present perfect in this case for the second action
I have given the documents another look-over, but still didn't find any glaring errors.
Why is this sentence possible I don't understand why the past simple is right here?
Past simple corresponds to ...
0
votes
0answers
21 views
“What if + (past simple), but (present perfect)?”
Does it make sense to ask a question like this: “What if you wanted to open the door, but I have taken your keys?”
It’s just an example but is it possible to use this structure? Would it be correct to ...
0
votes
1answer
16 views
Have finished, just
My friend learns English. And he often uses “I have just finished”. Yet in America I hear people say, “I just finished”. Which one is correct/more correct?
(I read this 'Have just finished' vs....
0
votes
1answer
25 views
the company has signed or the company signed?
Why is it "this year the company has signed contracts to equip two large factories" and not "this year the company signed contracts to equip large factories"
So you say has signed ...
1
vote
1answer
31 views
Present perfect or simple past.. have fallen in love or fell in love
I'm learning present perfect and simple past in English and I have a question, is it correct to say "My parents have fallen in love and have gotten married" or "they fell in love and ...
0
votes
1answer
36 views
simple present or present perfect, which one to use and when?
So, to be more specific, I am confused between when to use the simple past tense and when to use the present perfect(has/have)? Based on the context, can anyone please tell me when to use them and how?...
0
votes
2answers
40 views
Is it possible to use “yet” with past simple?
Is it common to use “yet” with Past Simple before Past Perfect Progressive? Or is it better to use Present Perfect?
Someone asked me :
Why you hadn’t written earlier?
I think a specific time is ...
0
votes
1answer
30 views
“Since” of “after” when talking about something in past?
...50 years after the beginning of his career
or
...50 years since the beginning of his career
Lets suppose that we are talking about someone whose career is endede already, or someone who has died ...
0
votes
0answers
34 views
Which is correct - have left or left?
Which of these sentences is right:
The cops usually arrive 20 minutes after the robbers have left.
OR
The cops usually arrive 20 minutes after the robbers left.
Which is correct, have left or left?...
0
votes
0answers
39 views
“It was the first time I did” vs. “it was the first time had done”
Could you tell me if there is any difference between the following sentences?
I saw that movie last year, and actually it was the first time I saw it.
I saw that movie last year, and actually it was ...
0
votes
1answer
20 views
Which sentence is right?
I saw something that I am not supposed to see.
I saw something I'm not supposed to have seen.
I saw something I shouldn't have seen.
I saw something I shouldn't have see.
I saw something I shouldn't ...
0
votes
1answer
38 views
“You were wrong before” vs. “you have been wrong before”
Could you tell me if there is any difference between you were wrong before and you have been wrong before? For example:
Person A: I'll make the right decision.
Person B: Nah. You were wrong before/...
0
votes
1answer
28 views
Do I use the Past Simple or the Present Perfect whem talking about my previous jobs?
Let's say I work as a bartender, and I want to mention the fact that I worked as a cook a while ago. Do I use the Past Simple or the Present Perfect? For example:
Person A: Do you think you could ...
1
vote
1answer
30 views
Should I use past simple or present perfect for something that happened a second ago?
I'm stepping out onto the balcony and want to say about it after I've done it. Should I say: "I've stepped out onto the balcony" or "I stepped out onto the balcony"?
If a person ...
0
votes
1answer
118 views
“I worked the whole day yesterday” vs “I was working the whole day yesterday”
Could you tell me if there is any difference in meaning between the following sentences?
I wasn't at Julie's birthday, because I worked the whole day yesterday.
I wasn't at Julie's birthday, because ...
0
votes
1answer
32 views
“I lived in” vs. “I have lived in” in context
Let's say I lived in the US two years ago and I want to mention the fact that I have the experience of living there without mentioning when I did it. Do I say I lived in the US or I've lived in the US?...
0
votes
0answers
12 views
What is wrong in
Question: Does the following sentence use the correct verbs?
Yesterday, I was being hungry, so I bought food.
Answer: The first verb should not be progressive.
I don't understand the error.
If I say I ...
1
vote
1answer
41 views
enjoyed OR have enjoyed?
Should I choose ENJOYED or HAVE ENJOYED in this situation ?And WHY ?
I (enjoyed/have enjoyed) working with my company but now I want to look for another job.
I think it should be 'I enjoyed ' ...
0
votes
1answer
17 views
What verb tense should I use?
-------Just for the context-------
Imagine yourself sitting on a couch, with your friend in crime, in an empty motel room, talking with each other about this enormous diamond you stole 2 days ago from ...
0
votes
1answer
25 views
Past Progressive or Past Perfect Progressive? [duplicate]
In a past narrative, I often see people using Past Perfect Progressive for things that are still true, which is odd to me, as the Past Perfect Progressive is an action that started in the past and ...
-1
votes
1answer
28 views
Difference in meaning - 'started climbing' v 'has been climbing' [closed]
What is the difference between them:
He started climbing at the age of 11.
He has been climbing since he was 11.
For me they are same and I don't see difference.
1
vote
1answer
35 views
Past simple in the second conditional
In the Friends TV show Phoebe complains about her bank and five hundred extra dollars in her account. She explains that she can't spend that money in the following words:
Let's say I bought a really ...
1
vote
1answer
32 views
I was never there instead of I have never been there
Is it grammatically correct to say "I was never there" instead of "I have never been there"? I have read in Michael Swan's English grammar book that AmE speakers use the simple ...
1
vote
0answers
35 views
What tense is a good choice for these sentences: past simple or past perfect?
But when I saw the very thin packaging I thought that it was a miracle that the record was not broken.
But when I saw the very thin packaging I thought that it was a miracle that the record had not ...
