1)在确定的过去时间里所发生的动作或存在的状态。
时间状语有:yesterday、last week、an hour ago、the other day、in 1982等。
例:Where did you go just now?
2)表示在过去一段时间内,经常性或习惯性的动作。
例:When I was a child, I often played football in the street.
Whenever the Browns went during their visit, they were given a warm welcome.
3)句型:
It is time for sb. to do sth:"到……时间了" "该……了"
It is time sb. did sth.:"时间已迟了" "早该……了"
It is time for you to go to bed.
你该睡觉了。
It is time you went to bed.
你早该睡觉了。
would (had) rather sb. did sth.:表示'宁愿某人做某事'
例:I'd rather you came tomorrow.
4) wish, wonder, think, hope 等用过去时,作试探性的询问、请求、建议等。
I thought you might have some.
我以为你想要一些。
比较:
一般过去时表示的动作或状态都已成为过去,现已不复存在。
Christine was an invalid all her life.
(含义:她已不在人间。)
Christine has been an invalid all her life.
(含义:她现在还活着)
Mrs. Darby lived in Kentucky for seven years.
(含义:达比太太已不再住在肯塔基州。)
Mrs. Darby has lived in Kentucky for seven years.
( 含义:现在还住在肯塔基州,有可能指刚离去)
注意: 用过去时表示现在,表示委婉语气。
1)动词want、hope、wonder、think、intend 等。
例:Did you want anything else?
I wondered if you could help me.
2)情态动词 could, would.
例:Could you lend me your bike?