Examples of Past Tenses: What is the Past Tense?

What is the past tense? The past tense refers to actions which happened in the past. There are four past tenses. These are the past simple tense, past continuous tense, past perfect tense and past perfect continuous tense. In these examples the past tense is in bold. Check out our past tenses infographic below.

past-tenses-poster

Past Tense Sentence Examples

Practice past tenses in sentences. Learn the following tenses: past simple tense past continuous tense, past perfect tense and past perfect continuous tense. Have a go and make your own sentences with the past tenses poster above and sentences below.

  • Past simple: base form of the verb + ed
  • I jumped in the puddle.
  • We climbed the tree.
  • They cooked some dinner.
  • She cleaned the house.
  • He joined the gym.
  • You sliced the beef.


  • Past continuous: subject + was + present participle
  • I was jumping in the puddle.
  • We were climbing the tree.
  • They were cooking some dinner.
  • She was cleaning the house.
  • He was joining the gym.
  • You were slicing the beef.


  • Past perfect: had + past participle
  • I had jumped in the puddle.
  • We had climbed the tree.
  • They had cooked some dinner.
  • She had cleaned the house.
  • He had joined the gym.
  • You had sliced the beef.


  • Past perfect continuous: subject + had been + present participle
  • I had been jumping in the puddle.
  • We had been climbing the tree.
  • They had been cooking some dinner.
  • She had been cleaning the house.
  • He had been joining the gym.
  • You had been grilling the beef.

Past Tense Games and Worksheets

Looking for more resources related to the past tense? Check out our comprehensive list of worksheets and video games. Download worksheets and play interactive games for free.

phonics-materials-for-kids phonics-resources

Free ESL Printables, PPT, Games and Online Grammar and Vocabulary Quizzes

ESL Kids World offers 1000's of free pdf worksheets for ESL lesson plans and ESL activities, and updates are made every week. The worksheets include:



More Worksheets
esl puzzles

ESL Materials and Activities

Printable Materials

ESL Kids World offers free printable pdf worksheets, board games, gap-fill pages, text-maze puzzles, word scrambles and more.

Classroom Games

Classroom game ideas and activities for learning and practising English. We have practical ideas to make your teaching more fun.

Kids Activities

These include video stories, worksheets, powerpoint, handwriting pages, colouring printables, flashcards, and Jeopardy quizzes for classroom use.

Interactive Quizzes

Our interactive games include, grammar questions, vocabulary quizzes, multiple choice assessments, and fun games to learn English.

Free Resources for Kids



ESL Phonics World

ESL Phonics World - 100's of phonics games for preschool and kindergarten kids. Free interactive online phonics games to help teach children the relationship between letters and sounds and develop the skills needed to read and write. All our worksheets, songs, and craft resources are designed by an experienced team of teachers.



ESL Puzzles

ESL Puzzles - Enjoy a wide range of fun EFL grammar and vocabulary games. Word search pages that are perfect for kids learning English, as well as teachers looking for free educational resources online. EFL activities for kids include: ESL games, free editable templates and powerpoint printables for preschool and primary English learners.



Kids ESL Games

Kids ESL Games - A selection of quizzes for EFL and TEFL practice. Aimed at ESL students, our phonics and spelling worksheets benefit young children's reading. Take the burden off lesson planning and play board games, or vocabulary games. A collection of card games and English exercises, ideal for beginner and pre-intermediate learners.

Grammar and Vocabulary Exercises

grammar quizzes for beginner and pre-intermediate esl learners

Grammar Games


Play 100's of free grammar quizzes and practice your English grammar.


vocabulary video games for efl practice

Vocabulary Games


Multiple choice vocabulary games for ESL young learners and kids.


esl kids worksheets

Worksheets


Worksheets arranged in sets and categories to arm teachers with free printables.


esl store and download packs

ESL Store


Downloadable ESL products: High quality ebook packs for pre-k and primary children.


phonics materials for pre-school

Useful Sites

ESL, TEFL, EFL, ESOL, TESOL Best Sites
  • ESL Kids Download
  • Kids ESL Games
  • ESL Puzzles
  • ESL Phonics World
  • More Sites >>>
  • esl puzzles and templates

    External Links

    Other ESL Sites
  • More Sites >>>