PAST TENSE
(Complete English Grammar Theory for SSC, Banking, PSC & UPSC Exams)
1. Introduction to Past Tense
The Past Tense is used to describe an action that happened before the present time. The time of action may be stated or understood from the context.
In competitive examinations such as SSC, Banking, PSC, and UPSC, questions from Past Tense are frequently asked in:
- Error Detection
- Fill in the Blanks
- Sentence Improvement
- Cloze Test
- Para Jumbles
- Reading Comprehension
- Voice & Narration
Understanding Past Tense clearly helps in solving grammar-based as well as comprehension-based questions.
TYPES OF PAST TENSE
Past Tense has four main forms:
- Simple Past Tense
- Past Continuous Tense
- Past Perfect Tense
- Past Perfect Continuous Tense
Each form has a specific structure and usage.
1. SIMPLE PAST TENSE
Structure
Affirmative:
Subject + V2 (Second form of verb)
Negative:
Subject + did not + V1
Interrogative:
Did + subject + V1?
Usage of Simple Past
1. Completed Action in the Past
Used for an action that started and ended in the past.
Examples:
- She finished her work.
- They went to Delhi.
- I wrote a letter.
(Time expressions: yesterday, last night, ago, in 2010, etc.)
2. Series of Completed Actions
When multiple actions happened one after another.
Example:
He entered the room, switched on the fan, and sat down.
3. Past Habit (with frequency words)
Example:
She visited her grandmother every Sunday.
(Note: For strong habitual meaning, “used to” is preferred.)
Important Rules for Exams
Rule 1: Use V2, not V1
Incorrect: He go to school yesterday.
Correct: He went to school yesterday.
Rule 2: After “did”, always use V1
Incorrect: Did she went there?
Correct: Did she go there?
Rule 3: With specific past time, use Simple Past
Incorrect: I have seen him yesterday.
Correct: I saw him yesterday.
(SSC & Banking frequently test this rule.)
2. PAST CONTINUOUS TENSE
Structure
Affirmative:
Subject + was/were + V1 + ing
Negative:
Subject + was/were + not + V1 + ing
Interrogative:
Was/Were + subject + V1 + ing?
Usage of Past Continuous
1. Action Continuing at a Specific Time in the Past
Example:
She was studying at 10 PM.
2. Interrupted Action in the Past
When one action was ongoing and another happened.
Structure:
Past Continuous + when + Simple Past
Example:
I was sleeping when the phone rang.
3. Two Parallel Actions
Example:
She was cooking while he was reading.
Exam Rule
Do not use Past Continuous with stative verbs (know, believe, love, understand, etc.)
Incorrect: I was knowing the answer.
Correct: I knew the answer.
3. PAST PERFECT TENSE
Structure
Affirmative:
Subject + had + V3
Negative:
Subject + had not + V3
Interrogative:
Had + subject + V3?
Usage of Past Perfect
1. Earlier of Two Past Actions
Used to show which action happened first.
Structure:
Past Perfect + before + Simple Past
OR
Simple Past + after + Past Perfect
Example:
She had left before I arrived.
After she had left, I arrived.
2. Reported Speech
Direct: He said, “I finished the work.”
Indirect: He said that he had finished the work.
Important Exam Rule
If two past actions are mentioned and one happened earlier, use Past Perfect for earlier action.
Incorrect: When I reached the station, the train left.
Correct: When I reached the station, the train had left.
(Highly important for SSC CGL & UPSC exams.)
4. PAST PERFECT CONTINUOUS TENSE
Structure
Affirmative:
Subject + had been + V1 + ing
Negative:
Subject + had not been + V1 + ing
Interrogative:
Had + subject + been + V1 + ing?
Usage
1. Action Continuing Before Another Past Action
Used to show duration before something happened.
Example:
She had been studying for three hours before the exam started.
2. Emphasis on Duration
(Time expressions: for, since)
Example:
They had been waiting since morning.
TIME EXPRESSIONS USED WITH PAST TENSE
Common words used:
- Yesterday
- Last night/week/year
- Ago
- In 1999
- Once
- Then
- Earlier
- Before
- When
These words generally indicate Simple Past.
COMMON ERRORS ASKED IN COMPETITIVE EXAMS
Error Type 1: Present Perfect with Past Time
Incorrect: He has completed the work yesterday.
Correct: He completed the work yesterday.
Error Type 2: Wrong Verb Form after “did”
Incorrect: Did she completed the task?
Correct: Did she complete the task?
Error Type 3: Missing Past Perfect
Incorrect: The patient died before the doctor arrived.
(Meaning unclear about sequence)
Correct: The patient had died before the doctor arrived.
Error Type 4: Continuous with Stative Verb
Incorrect: I was understanding the lesson.
Correct: I understood the lesson.
ADVANCED CONCEPTS FOR UPSC & PSC
1. Past Tense in Conditional Sentences
If + Subject + V2, Subject + would + V1
Example:
If I knew the answer, I would tell you.
(This expresses unreal situation in present but uses past form.)
2. “Used To” for Past Habit
Structure:
Subject + used to + V1
Example:
She used to play tennis.
Negative:
She did not use to play tennis.
3. Past Tense after “wish”
Wish + Subject + V2
Example:
I wish I knew the answer.
(I do not know.)
QUICK REVISION TABLE
| Tense | Structure | Main Use |
|---|---|---|
| Simple Past | V2 | Completed action |
| Past Continuous | was/were + ing | Ongoing past action |
| Past Perfect | had + V3 | Earlier of two past actions |
| Past Perfect Continuous | had been + ing | Duration before past action |
EXAM STRATEGY FOR SSC / BANKING / PSC / UPSC
- Look for time indicators (yesterday, ago, last year).
- Check sequence of actions (use Past Perfect correctly).
- Watch verb form after “did”.
- Avoid continuous form with stative verbs.
- In error detection, check auxiliary verb carefully.
MINI PRACTICE (WITH ANSWERS)
- She ____ (finish) the work before he arrived.
→ had finished - They ____ (play) cricket when it started raining.
→ were playing - Did you ____ (see) the notice yesterday?
→ see - He ____ (live) here for five years before he moved.
→ had lived