G Past forms Page 36 Past simple How to use it We read Romeo and Juliet at school last year. • Use the past simple when you want to say that something happened in the past (e.g. past events) and is over. It is often used with signal words like ago, yesterday, when, in 2009, last week/month/year, etc. But I didn’t like it at first because I thought it was so difficult. But then I watched it on DVD and at last I understood the story. • It is also used to relate a series of events in the past (e.g. in reports and stories). Past progressive How to use it I called Naomi last night. She didn’t answer the phone because she was having a bath. • The past progressive describes an ongoing activity that was happening in the past. We were just getting ready to go when it started to rain. • Often the past progressive is used to emphasise that an activity was still going on when a new event occurred. The past progressive provides the background for the new event. Use the past simple for the new event. I was preparing lunch while my brother was playing computer games and my sister was practising for the school concert. • Use the past progressive to point out that several longer actions were happening at the same time in the past. Present perfect simple How to use it The health minister has told the people to work from home. • The present perfect links past events with the present moment (e.g. experiences). I’ve already seen the film several times. So I do know how it ends. • The present perfect stresses the result of an activity. It is often used with already. Coleen has just finished her homework. • You can use the present perfect to express recent events. It is often used with just. She has known her husband since they went to school. And their families have always been friends. • The present perfect is also used to express how long something has been going on. We haven’t had the results of the test yet. Have you ever been to Australia? • Use the present perfect to express that something hasn’t happened yet or if you want to ask if something has happened before (ever, never, (not) yet, so far, etc.). Present perfect progressive How to use it They’ve been studying French for three years now, and they want to go on. • The present perfect progressive describes an activity that began in the past, has continued until now and possibly will go on in the future. • The focus is on the duration of the activity. You’ve been watching TV for hours. • For is used for a period of time (for hours, for days, etc.). I’ve been working hard since I got up this morning. • Since is used for a point in time (since three o’clock, since last night, etc.) G 3 156 Grammar Nur zu Prüfzwecken – Eigentum des Verlags öbv
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