Talking about the Past
When talking about the past and using narrative to tell a story, there are four main verbs which can be used:
- past simple
- past continuous (subject + was/were + gerund)
- past perfect simple (subject + had + past participle)
- past perfect continuous (subject + had + been + gerund)
The following exercises require you to identify when it is appropriate to use each. They also introduce other ways to talk about the past. Choose the correct option for each multiple choice question. When checking the answers, you will be provided with feedback, including explanations and further examples.
Task Tips
A very common error to see amongst C1 learners in their Speaking and Writing is the incorrect usage of used to and be used to.
As shown, subject + used to + infinitive is used to describe past states and repeated/habitual actions. For example: I used to smoke.
However, be used to is used to describe something which you are accustomed to and which doesn't cause you any problems. In this case, used is an adjective and to is a preposition. Therefore, it must be followed by a noun or the gerund. For example: As I'm English, I'm used to driving on the left / I'm not used to hot weather so I found the temperatures in Dubai difficult to cope with.