Past tense

Content

• Simple times
• Compound times
• Examples of simple past perfect verbs
• Examples of verbs in the past imperfect
• Examples of sentences with verbs in the past

The past tense, or verbs in past tense, are those verbs located in a time prior to the present. For example: fell, you've gone, we were.

Past tenses are always linked to a point on the timeline prior to the one being spoken. In Spanish, it is undoubtedly the past tense that offers the greatest number of expressive alternatives.

Verbs conjugated in the past tense are present in the indicative mood and in the subjunctive, with five forms in the first and three in the second, between simple and compound forms.

See also: Verbs in the present, Verbs in the future

Simple times

Simple pasts are made up of a single word to designate the action.

• Simple past perfect. It refers to a punctual and completed action from the past, without connection to the present. For example: I talked, You spoke, spoke, we spoke, spoke.
• Imperfect past. Also called a copreterite, it indicates lasting actions or habits in the past. For example: I loved, loved, loved, loved.

Compound times

The past preterites are made up of two words: verb have (conjugated) + participle.

• Preterite perfect compound. It alludes to an action from the past but connected to the present, eventually still in force. It consists of: conjugation of the auxiliary verb to have + the participle of the main verb. For example: I've conducted this orchestra for the last year.
• Past perfect. It gives an account of a previous past to another past. It consists of: verb to have in the past imperfect + the participle of the auxiliary verb. For example. I'd run half an hour, when I wanted to stop.
• Past perfect. It refers to a situation in which the first action must have been completed for the next to occur. It is a very rare way of expressing yourself in today's speech. It consists of: verb to have in the past perfect simple + the participle of the auxiliary verb. For example:When the door was closed, silence invaded the room.

Examples of simple past perfect verbs

Examples of verbs in the past imperfect

Examples of sentences with verbs in the past

1. I have toured 500 km today.
2. They had to operate it as soon as possible.
3. He left without telling us anything.
4. They started the rains that they had announced.
5. We could have avoid displeasure.
6. Have greeted national and provincial authorities.
7. Did everything that he was at your reach.
8. Exploded summer on the coast of Brazil.
9. They arrived without warning.
10. I was trying convince them not to rush to sell.
11. Do not I would have found at that time.
12. They agreed stop seeing each other for a while.
13. Said that you don't it mattered.
14. She lived a day, never saved a few pesos.
15. I've been thinking In what you told me all week
16. Not me interested follow the conversation.
17. When he showed up, no we couldbelieve.
18. ¿They needed a whole day for that?
19. We had arranged to see us the next day.
20. We were about to start the car when We received the news.
21. Participatedof the contest forty people.
22. I have toured bakeries and confectioneries and notI've got that cake.
23. They understood whatwas time to leave the room.
24. They had already started winter break and not yetwe knew yeswe had approved.
25. Greeted to the couple and meI was.
26. Just when Fermínhad received the letterThey left in light of the true motives.
27. He leftscreaming desperate.
28. We don'tgave not five balls.
29. We screamed so that wewill listen, the volume of the musicwas insane.
30. Teayou played even what notyou had in the casino!
31. Iused tobuy me a record per month.
32. Nothere were way to calm him down.
33. Usthey congratulatedfor how wellwe sanglast night.
34. We have decided renew contract.
35. The mindnotyou could come.
36. The thiefprowledalways around.
37. Have discussed for hours and I don't knowthey put agree.
38. Exceeded all trademarks.
39. Usgave one week of extension.
40. She lived scared; not that waycould.
41. I met to my future boss.
42. We knew the way and also we we lost.
43. If not outside because of him, I would never have met you.
44. I have been part of this club my whole life.
45. You were present in all the most important decisions.
46. We were convinced that you would win the contest.
47. Were very hard years.
48. Every Christmas we we came back to find.
49. ¿Did you know the accident that Clara had?
50. They had announced the results the day before.