Narrative tenses
Past simple, past continuous and past perfect – how to tell a story in the past.
When you tell a story – in Speaking, in a story or an article, or in Part 4 – you need three past tenses working together. Each one has its own job!
Three past tenses
Useful time words
How it comes up in Part 4
In Part 4 you complete the second sentence with the key word, so that it means the same as the first one (2–5 words).
ALREADY
When we arrived, the concert had already started .
An action before another past action → past perfect.
HAVING
I was having a shower when the lights went out.
An action in progress → past continuous.
BEEN
I had never been to London before.
First time in the past → had never … before.
Common mistakes
- ✗ When I arrived, the train left.✓ When I arrived, the train had left.If the train left first, use the past perfect – otherwise it sounds as if it left when you arrived.
- ✗ While I walked home, I met Tom.✓ While I was walking home, I met Tom.The longer background action needs the past continuous.
- ✗ I have seen him yesterday.✓ I saw him yesterday.Finished past time (yesterday) → past simple, not present perfect.
In Part 4, if the first sentence says 'before', 'already' or 'first time', think past perfect. If it describes something 'in the middle' of happening, think past continuous.
Quick check
Complete the second sentence so that it means the same as the first. Use the key word and write 2–5 words.
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