The verbal group: tenses

2.2
Past time
Writing from your position in present time you will also have to decide what took place
before the time at which you are writing.
2.2.1 The Simple Past
The simple past tells us that the event we are talking about is over but it does not
necessarily specify when it was.
Example:
There was no obvious correlation between peroxide content and stage of
atherosclerosis.
However, we can choose to indicate when it occurred with a time expression or
additional information.
Example:
Lufton and Sowerby (1970:23) provided some evidence for the atherogenic
role of lipid peroxides.
In this example the year 1970 tells us when the evidence was provided.
2.2.2 The Past Continuous
This is like a "temporary past". If you want to talk about continued states or repeated
actions or events which occurred in the past, you use the past continuous.

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Basic English Grammar Module: Unit 2B. Independent Learning Resources
© Learning Centre University of Sydney. This Unit may be copied for individual student use.
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Example:
Work was progressing but not as quickly as he would have liked.
2.2.3 The Present Perfect
There is a special problem when talking about past time. The simple past tense is used
when talking about a happening related to a definite time in the past, as we have already
discussed. However, a
perfect
tense is used for a past happening which is seen in
relation to a later event or time. Thus the present perfect means ' past-­‐time-­‐related-­‐to-­‐
present-­‐time'. If you want to talk about an activity or situation that started at some time
in the past and is still happening now or has an effect or result in the present you use the
present perfect.