Narrative Tenses

NARRATIVE
TENSES
When we narrate a story, we
use:
PAST SIMPLE
PAST CONTINUOUS
PAST PERFECT
PAST PERFECT CONTINUOUS
USED TO / WOULD
We use narrative tenses when telling a
story, or talking about situations and
activities which happened at a past time.
When telling past events, DO NOT mix past
and present tenses
PAST SIMPLE TENSE
We use simple past tense

 to express a completed action at a definite time in the
past
I woke up at half past seven yesterday, I had a
shower and ate some breakfast. I left home at
quarter past eight.
 to express past habits.
I woke up very early when I was a kid.
I used to wake up very early when I was a kid.
I would wake up early when I was a kid.
PAST CONTINUOUS TENSE
We use past continuous tense

for an action which was in progress at a stated
time in the past.
At 1 o’clock in the morning, I was sleeping.
For a past action which was in progress when
an other action interrupted it. We use the past
continuous for the action in progress (longer
action) and the past simple for the action
which interrupted the longer action.
I was washing the dishes when I cut my finger.
For two or more actions which were
happening at the same time in the past.
I was cooking the dinner while my daughter
was laying the table.
To give background information in a story
The sun was shining brightly and the birds
were chirping happily as I was walking to
work.
PAST PERFECT SIMPLE
We use past perfect simple to go back to a

second past. We use it to talk about things
that had already happened before that
specific time in the past.
I got to the party late. When I arrived there,
everybody had already left.
We use it to make the narrative more
interesting and easy to read.
PAST PERFECT CONTINUOUS
We use past continuous tense to talk about

longer actions or situations which had
continued up to the past moment.
When the teacher entered the classroom, the
students had been fighting
TIME EXPRESSIONS
Yesterday 2 days ago Last week
today
This week at 2 o’clock on
Monday in March
TIME CLAUSES
WHEN+SIMPLE PAST, SIMPLE PAST
When I helped her complete her work, she

thanked me.
 When I read the letter, I cried.
WHEN+SIMPLE PAST, PAST CONTINUOUS

When she called me, I was cooking the meal.
When I met him, he was working in a
hospital.
WHEN+SIMPLE PAST, PAST PERFECT/PAST
PERFECT CONT.
They had been touring the country for a
month when we last saw them.
When he arrived there, they had already gone.
WHILE/AS/JUST AS+PAST CONT, SIMPLE

PAST
He fell asleep while I was cleaning the room.
As we were walking by the sea, we noticed a
huge bin near the small hut.
WHILE/AS/JUST AS+PAST CONT,PAST CONT
As I was cleaning the kitchen, my sister was
tidying the dining room.
While you were reading the newspaper, I was
working on my project.
AS+SIMPLE PAST,SIMPLE PAST

As I opened my eyes I heard a strange voice.
The doorbell rang just as I picked up the
phone.
JUST AS+BE ABOUT TO, SIMPLE PAST
Just as I was about to resign from my
position, I got promoted.
Just as we were about to go out, it started to
rain.
IT/THIS WAS THE
FIRST/SECOND/THIRD....TIME+PAST
PERFECT
It was the last time we had seen each other.
That was the last word she had said.
AFTER+PAST PERFECT/SIMPLE PAST,
SIMPLE PAST
She went to America after she graduated
from school.
After I had written the letter, I went out.
BEFORE+SIMPLE PAST, PAST

PERFECT/SIMPLE PAST
I bought a lot of new clothes before I went
to Italy.
Before he got married, he had spent most of
his time in Europe.
BY THE TIME+SIMPLE PAST, PAST
PERFECT /PAST PERFECT CONT.
By the time he published his first novel, He had
written 10 short stories.
By the time we arrived there, the movie had
already begun.
UNTIL/TILL+SIMPLE PAST+SIMPLE
PAST/PAST PERFECT
Until the war was won, a lot of innocent people
had died.
We waited until he finished his homework.
AS SOON AS/THE
MOMENT/ONCE/IMMEDIATELY+PAST
PERFECT/SIMPLE PAST,SIMPLE PAST
 As soon as I had seen her, I understood that
something was wrong.
 Once she (had) decided to leave him, nobody was
able to change her mind.
 Immediately we (had) stepped out, it started to
rain.
BY+PAST EXPRESSION+PAST PERFECT/PAST

PERFECT CONT.
 By the mid 20th century, many women had gained
the right to teach.
 By the end of the Great Depression, a lot of people
died of hunger.
HARDLY/SCARCELY+PAST
PERFECT(INVERSION) WHEN+PAST SIMPLE
Hardly had I entered the classroom when I
noticed a student on the floor.
She had hardly left the doctor’s office when a car
crashed her.
NO SOONER+PAST PERFECT(INVERSION)
THAN+SIMPLE PAST
No sooner had I left the office than it started to
rain.
No sooner I had left the office than I caught a taxi.

Narrative Tenses

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NARRATIVE

We use simple past tense

We use past continuous tense

We use past perfect simple to go back to a

We use past continuous tense to talk about

WHEN+SIMPLE PAST, SIMPLE PAST

When I helped her complete her work, she

WHEN+SIMPLE PAST, PAST CONTINUOUS

WHILE/AS/JUST AS+PAST CONT, SIMPLE

AS+SIMPLE PAST,SIMPLE PAST

BEFORE+SIMPLE PAST, PAST

BY+PAST EXPRESSION+PAST PERFECT/PAST

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