PAST INDEFINITE
FORMATION
Affirmative: Subject + V2 + Object. Negative : Subject + did not + V1 + Object .
Inerrogative: Did + Subject + V1 + Object ?
Wh-word: Wh-word + did + Subject + V1 + Object ?
- This tense does not accept any helping verb in affirmative (simple) sentences . Always use 2nd form of the verb as; He killed a snake.
- In negatives, we use did not +1st form of verb with all the subjects; as- He did not kill a snake.
- In interrogative sentences always use helping verb did before the subject and 1st form of verb is used with all the subjects: as- Did he kill a snake.
USES
1 This tense is used for a past habit or custom, indicated generally by; Often, seldom, usually, normally, generally, occasionally, sometimes, never, always, frequently, rarely, daily, used to, would etc (i) They never drank wine.
(ii) I used to go to Delhi by bus.
(iii) She would go there daily.
(iv) He always carried an umbrella.
(v) Gandhiji always speak the truth.
(vi) The Aryans always believed in the oneness of God.
(vii) When he was young he always went for a walk.
2 This tense is used for a single act completed in the past or to indicate an action completed in the past. Definite point of time is denoted by:
Since, ever since, earlier, ago, back, before, last, yesterday, the other day, any point of time in the past e.g.
(i) I met your brother yesterday.
(ii) She bought a scooter two years ago.
(iii) I met her last year.
It would be wrong to say;
(i) I received your letter yesterday.
(ii) Why didn’t you attend the class yesterday?
(iv) He visited Delhi last year.
4. In sentence that begins with ‘it is time’ or ‘it is high time’: (i) It is time we started working,
(ii) It is time we went home.
(v) It is time you finished.
(vi) It is high time we left
5. In the structure: Subject + would rather + Subject + Past Tense, the use of would rather imply that one person would prefer another or others to do something::
(i) I would rather you went home now.
(ii) Shall I bring the book? I would rather you didn’t.
(iii) Would you like him to beat the dog? I’d rather he did not (beat the dog)
6. In sentence that begins with ‘I wish’ or ‘if only’. In such cases the use of ‘I wish’ or ‘if only’ express Unreal Past:
(i) I wish I were a king. (but I am not).
(ii) If only I knew him. (but I do not know)
(iii) I wish she helped me. (but I did not)
7. To express a past action or event, which occurred at a particular point of time in the past though time is not mentioned: (i) I saw a snake in the park.
(ii) Edison invented the gramophone.
(iii) A truck hit a cat and killed its driver.
(iv) My father taught in this school.
8. To express two actions going on at the same time. In such sentences we use ‘’when or while’ as conjunction: (i) While he took (=was taking) tea, he read (was reading)a newspaper.
(ii) While they danced (were dancing), we sang (were singing).
(iii) He sang (was singing) while her sister danced.(was dancing)
(iv) She was watching the television when I went to her house.
9. To express an action, which occupied a period of time in the past, but has ended now:
(i) He worked for eight hours. (=is not working now)
(ii) I stayed my uncle’s house for ten days. (=not staying now)
- I have met your brother yesterday.
- She has bought a scooter two years ago
(i) I received your letter yesterday.
(ii) Why didn’t you attend the class yesterday?
(iv) He visited Delhi last year.
4. In sentence that begins with ‘it is time’ or ‘it is high time’: (i) It is time we started working,
(ii) It is time we went home.
(v) It is time you finished.
(vi) It is high time we left
5. In the structure: Subject + would rather + Subject + Past Tense, the use of would rather imply that one person would prefer another or others to do something::
(i) I would rather you went home now.
(ii) Shall I bring the book? I would rather you didn’t.
(iii) Would you like him to beat the dog? I’d rather he did not (beat the dog)
6. In sentence that begins with ‘I wish’ or ‘if only’. In such cases the use of ‘I wish’ or ‘if only’ express Unreal Past:
(i) I wish I were a king. (but I am not).
(ii) If only I knew him. (but I do not know)
(iii) I wish she helped me. (but I did not)
7. To express a past action or event, which occurred at a particular point of time in the past though time is not mentioned: (i) I saw a snake in the park.
(ii) Edison invented the gramophone.
(iii) A truck hit a cat and killed its driver.
(iv) My father taught in this school.
8. To express two actions going on at the same time. In such sentences we use ‘’when or while’ as conjunction: (i) While he took (=was taking) tea, he read (was reading)a newspaper.
(ii) While they danced (were dancing), we sang (were singing).
(iii) He sang (was singing) while her sister danced.(was dancing)
(iv) She was watching the television when I went to her house.
9. To express an action, which occupied a period of time in the past, but has ended now:
(i) He worked for eight hours. (=is not working now)
(ii) I stayed my uncle’s house for ten days. (=not staying now)
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