Helping Hints for the Past
Auxiliary Verbs Used with Past Tenses
Knowledge of auxiliary verbs used in various tenses is the key to correct tense conjugation. Here is a review of auxiliary verbs for past tenses:
Past Simple:
Use 'did' in the question and negative form to express something that happened at a specific moment in the past. Use no auxiliary verb in the positive form.
Example:
Sam didn't sign the card holder agreement.
How long did it take to reach an agreement?
BUT:
Kevin spent all day invoicing and didn't get to write the report.
Past Continuous:
Use 'was / were' in the past tense for the positive, negative and question forms in the past continuous tense to express what was happening at a specific moment in the past.
Example:
We were discussing a partnership when the corporate office came in with a hostile takeover.
The company wasn't going to announce the closing date until Investments Group called us.
Past Simple Passive:
Use 'was / were' in the past for positive, negative and question in the past simple passive to express a past passive operation. Remember that the passive takes the participle form of the principal verb.
Example:
The settlement price was just approved by both parties today.
The balance was paid off in partial payment for the car loan.
Past Perfect:
Use 'had' in the past for the positive, negative and question forms for the past perfect tense to express something that had happened before another action occurred in the past.
Example:
Had you confirmed the final balance prior to computing the profit and loss figures?
She hadn't had time to act on behalf of Jim before she made the presentation.
Past Perfect Continuous:
Use the verb 'had been' in the past perfect for the positive, negative and question forms for the past perfect tense to express the duration of something that had been happening up to another past moment in time.
Example:
They had been explaining the fixed exchange rate when the officer entered the hall.
She had been working on the fixed exchange rate report for five hours when he asked for it.