Tiempos del Pasado en Inglés: Past Simple, Past Continuous y Present Perfect

Past Continuous

Formación

Past continuous requires the verb to be in the past (was / were) + the verb in -ing form.

Usos

• Acciones en progreso: We use the past continuous to say that somebody was in the middle of doing something at a certain time.
  Example: This time last year, I was living in Brazil.
• Acciones interrumpidas o simultáneas: We often use past simple and past continuous together to say that something happened in the middle of something else.
  Example: I was walking home when I met Dave.

Past Simple

Formación

Past simple regular verbs often end in -ed (worked, lived), but many frequent verbs are irregular (e.g., wrote, brought).

Usos

• Acciones completadas: We use past simple to talk about something that happened in the past (complete and finished actions).
  Example: I went to Japan in 2014.
• Acciones repetidas o hábitos pasados: Something that happened several times in the past.
  Example: When I was a child, I spent my holidays in Galicia every summer.

Present Perfect

Formación

Have / has + past participle.

Past participles often end in -ed (decided), but many frequent verbs are irregular (lost, written).
Example: He has lost his key.

Usos

• Resultados en el presente: We use the present perfect to express actions in the past which have a result now.
  Example: Is Sally here? No, she’s gone out.
• Noticias recientes: To give new information or to announce a recent happening.
  Example: Ow! I’ve cut my finger.
• Períodos de tiempo no concluidos: To talk about a period of time that is not finished at the time of speaking.
  Example: I have met many people in the last few days.
• Experiencias de vida: When we talk about life experiences, the present perfect covers our lifetime.
  Example: Have you ever travelled (in your life)?

Marcadores Temporales con Present Perfect

These temporal markers are frequently used with present perfect as they cover a period from the past until now: in the last few days, since breakfast, for a long time, this year, this morning, today.

You can also use present perfect with the time adverbs just, already, still, and yet:

• Just: "A short time before".
  Example: I have just seen Lucia at the cinema.
• Already: "Before now".
  Example: — Don’t forget to post the letter, will you?
  — I have already posted it.
• Still: Used with the present perfect, it means that something hasn't happened. It is only used in negative sentences.
  Example: She still hasn’t replied to my email.
• Yet: Equals "until now". It shows that the speaker is expecting something to happen. It is only used in negative sentences and questions.
  Example: Has it stopped raining yet?