THE SIMPLE PAST TENSE IS USED FOR:

1. Actions completed in the past at a definite time.

I met him yesterday.

even if the time is not mentioned, but understood from the context:

I bought this coat in Paris.

2. Actions whose time is not given, but which occupied a period of time now terminated:

I lived in Philadelphia for a year.

3. Repeated actions in the past:

He went to a private school when he was young.

4. Single actions whose time is not given, but which occurred in a period of time now terminated:

My grandmother once saw Queen Victoria.

5. The immediate past:

Did the telephone ring?

6. Past habits:

He always drank red wine.

7. Polite inquiries:

I wondered if you could give me a lift.

8. In narrative -- for events

He laughed and poured himself out another whisky and soda. He returned slowly to his chair.

9. In conditional sentences type 2:

I would study music if I had more time.

10. After: as if, as though, it's time, if only, wish, would sooner / rather

Practical grammar Year 1

Agnieszka Piasecka

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