40 min
Past Simple
1 topic
2 tasks
1.
Subjunctive
The so-called subjunctive comes in two shapes: conditional sentences or weird structures that use the Past Simple form for no apparent reason.
Conditional sentences use Past Simple to refer to hypothetical situations in the present or the future. Sometimes you need context to determine the 'timing' of the sentence:
The weird structures are primarily based on the following:
As if / as though
It’s time (that) + clause
I’d rather (that) + clause
Conditional sentences use Past Simple to refer to hypothetical situations in the present or the future. Sometimes you need context to determine the 'timing' of the sentence:
- If I had the money now I’d buy a car. (Present)
- I wish (that) I had a better memory. (Present)
- If you caught the ten o’clock train tomorrow you would be in Moscow by lunchtime, unless the train was delayed, of course. (Future)
- Supposing we didn’t go on holiday next year? (Future)
- Would you follow me wherever I went? (Present/Future)
- In a perfect world, you would be able to say exactly what you thought. (Present/Future)
The weird structures are primarily based on the following:
As if / as though
- You look as if you were just about to scream.
It’s time (that) + clause
- Ten o’clock — it’s time (that) you went home.
I’d rather (that) + clause
- Don’t come and see me today — I’d rather (that) you came tomorrow.
2.
We use Past Simple for distancing, that is, to make the statement less direct.
Note that past continuous forms (I was thinking / wondering / hoping, etc) make sentences even less direct:
Past modals seem to fit the same pattern:
- I wondered if you were free this evening.
- I thought you might like some flowers.
- Did you want cream with your coffee, sir?
Note that past continuous forms (I was thinking / wondering / hoping, etc) make sentences even less direct:
- I was thinking about that idea of yours.
- I was hoping we could have dinner together.
Past modals seem to fit the same pattern:
Straightforward
- Will you call me tomorrow?
- Shall we go now?
- It may rain later.
- I can help you.
Less direct
- Would you call me tomorrow?
- Should we go now?
- It might rain later.
- I could help you.
3.
Past Simple can be used instead of Past Perfect in sentences with after, as soon as, before etc. That makes sense as it is clear which action follows which.
However, Past Perfect will be preferable if we need to emphasise the distance between separate events.
- After it stopped raining, we decided to take a walk in the park.
- As soon as you called, I went straight to bed.
However, Past Perfect will be preferable if we need to emphasise the distance between separate events.
- As soon as he had graduated, he went travelling for a year.
4.
Not only reported speech
If we are talking about the past, we usually use Past Simple even for things which are still true and situations which still exist.
- Are you deaf? I asked how old you were. – Reported speech
- I'm sorry we left Edinburgh. It was such a nice place. (it's still a nice place)
- Do you remember that nice couple we met on holiday? They were German, weren't they? (they still are)
- I got this job because I was a good driver. (I'm still a good driver)
- Bill applied to join the police last week, but he wasn't tall enough. (he still isn't)
END OF THE GUIDE
Don’t relax just yet — graded assignments are coming up.
Go ahead and move on to the task; you need to reinforce what you’ve learned.
Go ahead and move on to the task; you need to reinforce what you’ve learned.
