grammar
grammar
 
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grammar
  1. Use the past simple (PS) to talk about consecutive actions in the past. We use the past simple for the main events in a story.
  2. Use the past continuous (PC) to describe a longer, continuous past action. This is often an action which was in progress when another action happened.
  3. Use the past perfect (PP) to talk about an action which happened before the specific time in the past when the main events of the story happened.
  4. Use the past perfect continuous (PPC) to talk about a longer continuous action that was going on before the specific time in the past when the main events of the story happened.

 

Example:

Cinderella had been cleaning (PPC) and feeling very depressed (PPC) when her stepsisters told (PS) her to make breakfast. She had finished (PP) cleaning so she went into the kitchen (PS) and was boiling the eggs (PC) when suddenly someone knocked (PS) on the door. It was (PS) Prince Charming here to rescue her.

fairy tales

Narrative tenses