Use of Simple Past

Simple Past is used for actions and situations in the past.

• Facts and situations in the past

  Expresses a fact or given situation in the past.

  Beispiele:

  Our secretary worked very hard.
  I did not agree with you.

• Actions in the past

  Actions in the past that took place never, once, several times or regualary. (see also: signal words)

  Examples:

  Mister Brown never attended any meeting. He always sent me.

• Actions taking place one after another

  Actions in the past that took place one after the other.

  Examples:

  Mister Sanders came into the office, checked his mailbox and went straight to the briefing.
  What a horrible day: first my computer crashed, then our best customer cancelled their order and on my way home my car broke down.

• Actions taking place in the middle of another action

  (Sudden) action that took place in the middle of another action. (see also: Past Progressive)

  Examples:

  I was sitting in a meeting, when my mobile suddenly rang.
  When I came in, John was playing solitaire.

Signal Words of Simple Past

yesterday, 2 minutes ago, in 1990, the other day, last Friday, If Clause Type II (If I talked, …)