Unit 3:Grammar

Talking about the past
Contents:
Simple past
Past continuous

The Simple past	Present perfect
Used for single or habitual events or situations that take place within a definite or understood period of time in the past that is not connected to now.	Used to talk about situations and events that are part of an indefinite time in the past that is connected to now.
Examples: Ø I lived in Italy a few years ago.      (I am not there now) Ø Marcos’s band broke up (split up, dissolve).  (It happened during a period in the past that is separated from now.)	Examples: Ø I’ve traveled a lot. (I’m not finished traveling.) Ø I haven’t decided on my next trip. (I’m still thinking.)
	It is also used to talk about permanent situations that began at some point in the past.
	Example: I’ve been pretty lucky.
Continuous forms of verbs are generally used to describe events and situations that are ongoing (in progress) or temporary. They can be used to describe an event or situation as the background for another event. Example:              We were rebuilding homes when I was there.

Past Perfect

USE 1 Completed Action Before Something in the Past

The Past Perfect expresses the idea that something occurred before another action in the past. It can also show that something happened before a specific time in the past.

Examples:

• I had never seen such a beautiful beach before I went to Kauai.
• I did not have any money because I had lost my wallet.

USE 2 Duration Before Something in the Past (Non-Continuous Verbs)

With Non-Continuous Verbs and some non-continuous uses of Mixed Verbs, we use the Past Perfect to show that something started in the past and continued up until another action in the past.

Examples:

• We had had that car for ten years before it broke down.
• By the time Alex finished his studies, he had been in London for over eight years.

IMPORTANT Specific Times with the Past Perfect

Unlike with the Present Perfect, it is possible to use specific time words or phrases with the Past Perfect. Although this is possible, it is usually not necessary.

Example:

• She had visited her Japanese relatives once in 1993 before she moved in with them in 1996.

Past Perfect continuous

USE 1 Duration Before Something in the Past

We use the Past Perfect Continuous to show that something started in the past and continued up until another time in the past. "For five minutes" and "for two weeks" are both durations which can be used with the Past Perfect Continuous. Notice that this is related to the Present Perfect Continuous; however, the duration does not continue until now, it stops before something else in the past.

Examples:

• They had been talking for over an hour before Tony arrived.
• She had been working at that company for three years when it went out of business.
• How long had you been waiting to get on the bus?

USE 2 Cause of Something in the Past

Using the Past Perfect Continuous before another action in the past is a good way to show cause and effect.

Examples:

• Jason was tired because he had been jogging.
• Sam gained weight because he had been overeating.
• Betty failed the final test because she had not been attending class.

Past Continuous vs. Past Perfect Continuous

If you do not include a duration such as "for five minutes," "for two weeks" or "since Friday," many English speakers choose to use the Past Continuous rather than the Past Perfect Continuous. Be careful because this can change the meaning of the sentence. Past Continuous emphasizes interrupted actions, whereas Past Perfect Continuous emphasizes a duration of time before something in the past. Study the examples below to understand the difference.

Examples:

• He was tired because he was exercising so hard.
  This sentence emphasizes that he was tired because he was exercising at that exact moment.
• He was tired because he had been exercising so hard.
  This sentence emphasizes that he was tired because he had been exercising over a period of time. It is possible that he was still exercising at that moment OR that he had just finished.

1. When Melanie came into the office yesterday, her eyes were red and watery. I think she (cry) had been crying.
2. I (see) had seen many pictures of the pyramids before I went to Egypt. Pictures of the monuments are very misleading. The pyramids are actually quite small. 
3. I was really angry at John yesterday. By the time he finally arrived, I (wait) had been waiting for over an hour. I almost left without him. 
4. I can't believe I (get) got that apartment. I (submit) submitted my application last week, but I didn't think I had a chance of actually getting it. When I (show) showed up to take a look around, there were at least twenty other people who (arrive) had arrived before me. Most of them (fill, already) had already filled out their applications and were already leaving. The landlord said I could still apply, so I did.

The main use of Present Perfect: Unspecified Time Before Now

We use the Present Perfect to say that an action happened at an unspecified time before now. The exact time is not important.

Other uses:

1. Puts emphasis on the result. Example: She has written five letters.
2. Action that is still going on. Example: School has not started yet.
3. Action that stopped recently. Example: She has cooked dinner.
4. Finished action that has an influence on the present. Example: I have lost my key.
5. Action that has taken place once, never or several times before the moment of speaking

Example: I have never been to Australia.

SIMPLE PAST OR PRESENT PERFECT

Certain time in the past or just / already / yet? Do you want to express that an action happened at a certain time in the past (even if it was just a few seconds ago) or that an action has just / already / not yet happened?
SIMPLE PAST		PRESENT PERFECT SIMPLE
certain time in the past e.g.: I asked Mary that question 2 minutes ago.		just / already / not yet  e.g.: I have just asked Mary that question.
Certain event in the past or how often so far? Do you want to express when a certain action took place or whether / how often an action has happened till now?
SIMPLE PAST	PRESENT PERFECT SIMPLE
certain event in the past e.g.: My father went to France last year.	whether / how often till now   e.g.: Have you ever been to Cusco?     No, I haven’t. But I have been to Italy twice

Emphasis on action or result? Do you just want to express what happened in the past? Or do you want to emphasize the result (a past action's consequence in the present)?
SIMPLE PAST	PRESENT PERFECT SIMPLE
Emphasis on action    e.g.: I bought a new jacket.            (just telling what I did in the past)	Emphasis on result e.g.: I have bought a new jacket          (With this sentence i actually want to           express that I have a new jacket now.)

TIME EXPRESSIONS OR SIGNAL WORDS

SIMPLE PAST	PRESENT PERFECT
1.   Did you go out the day before yesterday? 2.   Did you go to the gym yesterday? 3.   Did you see your friends last weekend? 4.   Did you go to a concert the other day? 5.   Did your family take a trip last month/year? 6.   Did you cook dinner last night? 7.   Did you take  an exercise class two days ago? 8.   Did you go to bed late last Friday? 9.   Did you have to study a lot on Monday? 10.   Did you go shopping yesterday afternoon? 11.   Did you do the laundry three weeks ago? 12.   Did you your best friends visit Europe in 1989? 13.   ________________________________ 14.   ________________________________ 15.   ________________________________ 16.   ________________________________ 17.   ________________________________ 18.   ________________________________ 19.   ________________________________ 20.   ________________________________	1.   Have you ever been to South Africa? 2.   Have you ever taken a long trip on a boat? 3.   Have you ever forgotten a friend’s name? 4.   Have you ever danced the tango? 5.   What’s a sport you’ve always wanted to try? 6.   Have you ever found some money? 7.   Have you ever lost something valuable? 8.   Have you ever been in a hospital? 9.   What’s the subject you’ve always wanted to know more about? 10.  What’s the country you’ve never been to, but would like to visit 11.  What’s a skill or talent you’ve always wanted to have? 12.  Have you ever done something embarrassing? 13.  Have you ever taken a carpentry class? 14.  Have you ever sung in front of an audience? 15.  Have you ever seen the movie “titanic”? 16.  Have you ever tried a food you didn’t like? 17.  Have you ever met a famous people? 18.  Have you ever eaten Russian food? 19.  Have you ever won a contest? 20.  Have you ever travelled by ship?
	Unspecific expressions: v up to now v until now / till now v (not)yet v lately / recently v never v once

Present perfect with: Just, yet, still, already

The use of “just” (short time ago)

Use “just” to express actions that have happened recently. “Just” goes after the auxiliary have/has and before the past participle. 1.    My grandpa has just finished watering the garden. (not so long ago)

The use of “Already”

Use already to express actions that have finished before the actions were expected to finish. I other words, when something has happened sooner than expected. 1.   My grandpa has already finished watering the garden. (not so long ago) 2.   My little daughter has already read the first book.

  

Present Perfect + since and for

The use of “yet”

Use “yet” for negative sentences and questions. It is used for actions that you think has happened. It is used to express expectations.         1.    Have you eaten at “Kentucky Fried Chicken” yet?( You expect that the other person has                                                                                                already been to “Kentucky Fried Chicken” )          2.    I haven’t been to Europe yet. ( But I expect to go there)

The use of “since”	The use of “for”
Use since + (a specific time) like January 31st, or 8:20 a.m., or  Thursday.	Use for + (a length of time) like 1 day, or 3 hours, or 5 years.

PRESENT PERFECT REALATED WORDS
	My sentences	Your own sentences
FOR	I’ slept here for (durante) two weeks
SINCE	I’ve lived here since (desde)I was born
ALREADY	I’ve already seen it. (ya lo he visto)
YET QUESTIONS	Have you seen it yet? (ya lo has visto)
YET NEGATIVE	I haven’t seen it yet. (Aún no lo he visto)
JUST	She’s just gone.  (acaba de irse)
EVER	Have you ever seen a flying saucer?
NEVER	I’ve never seen a flying saucer.

IV.    WRITE THE PAST AND THE PAST PARTICIPLE OF THESE VERBS

Base form	Past	Past participle		Base form	Past	Past participle
Bear				eat
Deal				think
do				throw
fall				fly
go				get
break				have
bring				ring
burn				run
burst				take
buy				teach