| When you write about a past event (an action or condition), you should use a different verb tense depending on the situation you are describing. |
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When you describe a past event that happened or was completed during a specific period or time, use the simple past.
- Example: In 1990, they came to America for a better life and settled in New York.
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When you describe a past event that has occurred during a non-specific time, or has continued to the present, use the present perfect or present perfect progressive.
- Example: Since they arrived in America, they have learned many new customs.
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When you need to let the reader know that an event had occurred before another past time or event that you mention, use the past perfect for the earlier action.
- Example: By the time I came to the United States in 1999, I had already learned English.
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When you describe a past action that was in progress while another action occurred or was in progress, use the past progressive.
- Example: They were doing well and were becoming comfortable with life in America when suddenly a crisis happened in their life.
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When you describe a constant condition or state in the past, do not use a progressive tense.
- Incorrect: They were needing help when they arrived; since then, they manage to improve their lives.
- Corrected: They needed help when they arrived; since then, they manage to improve their lives.
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