1.除了一般過去時,還有另外幾個過去時態(tài):
l)過去進行時:表示過去某時正在進行的動作:
Last week she wasn't feeling very well.
上星期她感到不太舒服。
An old lady was waiting for the bus.
一位老太太(這時)正在等車。
The sun was setting.
太陽正在西沉。
Birds were singing in the trees.
樹間鳥兒在鳴叫。
2)過去完成時表示過去某時前已經(jīng)發(fā)生的事:
When I saw him, he had been ill for a month.
我見到他時他已病了一個月了。
He couldn't see anyone.The thieves had gone.
他沒看見什么人,小偷已經(jīng)跑了。
He showed me the books he had bought.
他讓我看了他買的書。
She explained what had happened.
她解釋了發(fā)生的情況。
3)過去將來時:表示從過去看將要發(fā)生的事:
He was eighteen. In two years he would be twenty.
他十八歲,再過兩年他就二十了。
I thought you would wait for me.
我以為你會等我哩。
Did you know Mary would come?
你知道瑪麗會來嗎?
He assured me that he would support us.
他向我保證他會支持我們。
過去將來時除了使用would以外,還可以使用was/were going to表示:
I was going to the library when you called me.
當你打電話給我的時候我正要去圖書館。
這三個時態(tài)都常用在賓語從句(a)或間接引語(b)中:
a. He told me that he was writing a novel.
他告訴我他在寫一本小說。
She said that she had got everything ready.
她說她把一切都準備好了。
Mother asked when I would be back.
媽問我什么時候回來。
b. He said he was calling from the airport.(比較: I'm calling from the airport.)
She said she just got my fax.(比較: I've got your fax.)
I said I'd be with them right away.(比較: I'll be with you right away.)
would構(gòu)成的謂語有時表示過去習(xí)慣性動作或傾向:
Every Saturday they would go to the club.
每星期六他們都去俱樂部。
Sometimes we would sit together chatting.
有時我們會坐在一起聊天。
The door wouldn't open.
門開不了啦。
The car wouldn't start.
汽車開不動了。