Narrative tense contrasts

Combine past simple, past continuous and past perfect to distinguish main events, background and earlier actions.

When do we use it?

Select narrative tenses according to sequence, completion and background meaning.

Form

Use past simple for main events, past continuous for background and past perfect for earlier events.

• I was walking home when I realised I had lost my keys.

Key contrast

At B2, choose the form from the complete context: sequence, viewpoint, degree of certainty and clause structure all matter.

Common mistakes

• I walked home when it was starting to rain. → I was walking home when it started to rain.
• I realised I lost them earlier. → I realised I had lost them earlier.

Remember

Combine past simple, past continuous and past perfect to distinguish main events, background and earlier actions.

Quick check

• Identify the time relationship or intended meaning.
• Check the auxiliary, participle and clause pattern.
• Eliminate answers that fit the words but not the context.