Narrative tenses · B1. Use was/were + -ing for a background activity in progress at a past reference time. Another event can establish that time; it does not necessarily stop the activity.
Complete 12 original tasks. Use the situation to choose the intended meaning, practise the form, then apply it in a fresh context.
Use was/were + -ing for a background activity in progress at a past reference time. Another event can establish that time; it does not necessarily stop the activity.
The passengers were sleeping when a suitcase fell.Use had + past participle to express an event completed before a later reference point in the past.
We discovered that the flood had destroyed the bridge.Use past simple to express the next completed event in a past narrative, rather than an earlier background event.
A bell rang, and everyone turned towards the exit.
The quiet activity was interrupted by the crash.
Use was/were + -ing for a background activity in progress at a past reference time. Another event can establish that time; it does not necessarily stop the activity.
The passengers were sleeping when a suitcase fell.Use had + past participle to express an event completed before a later reference point in the past.
We discovered that the flood had destroyed the bridge.Use past simple to express the next completed event in a past narrative, rather than an earlier background event.
A bell rang, and everyone turned towards the exit.Keep the first try. Understand the change. Check it in a fresh situation.
No practice notes yet. Try a short warm-up.
Use was/were + -ing for a background activity in progress at a past reference time. Another event can establish that time; it does not necessarily stop the activity.
The passengers were sleeping when a suitcase fell.Use had + past participle to express an event completed before a later reference point in the past.
We discovered that the flood had destroyed the bridge.Use past simple to express the next completed event in a past narrative, rather than an earlier background event.
A bell rang, and everyone turned towards the exit.Opening an answer records help for that question.
The quiet activity was interrupted by the crash.
Look at “The passengers ___ when a suitcase fell.”. Use was/were + -ing for a background activity in progress at a past reference time. Another event can establish that time; it does not necessarily stop the activity. Complete sentence: “The passengers were sleeping when a suitcase fell.”.
The bridge was destroyed a day before our arrival.
Look at “We discovered that the flood ___ the bridge.”. Use had + past participle to express an event completed before a later reference point in the past. Complete sentence: “We discovered that the flood had destroyed the bridge.”.
The next event moves the story forward.
Look at “A bell rang, and everyone ___ towards the exit.”. Use past simple to express the next completed event in a past narrative, rather than an earlier background event. Complete sentence: “A bell rang, and everyone turned towards the exit.”.
A continuous background action at the stated past moment.
Look at “As I entered, the chef ___ vegetables.”. Use was/were + -ing for a background activity in progress at a past reference time. Another event can establish that time; it does not necessarily stop the activity. Complete sentence: “As I entered, the chef was chopping vegetables.”.
Use the past perfect of leave; departure preceded our reaching the stop.
Complete sentence: “When we reached the stop, the bus had left.” Use had + past participle to express an event completed before a later reference point in the past. The subject, time and meaning in the task determine this form. Only reviewed responses are matched automatically; other wording is not automatically wrong.
The narrative advances through completed steps.
Look at “Mina found the key, unlocked the box and ___ the map.”. Use past simple to express the next completed event in a past narrative, rather than an earlier background event. Complete sentence: “Mina found the key, unlocked the box and removed the map.”.
Use the past continuous of snow for the background at dawn yesterday.
“At dawn yesterday, it was snowing heavily.” Use was or were + -ing for an activity already in progress at a past reference time. A later event can supply that reference without proving the activity stopped.
The rain was underway when the phone rang.
Look at “I ___ home through the rain when my phone rang.”. Use was/were + -ing for a background activity in progress at a past reference time. Another event can establish that time; it does not necessarily stop the activity. Complete sentence: “I was walking home through the rain when my phone rang.”.
Use the past perfect of eat; the meal happened before the invitation. The word already is supplied after the gap.
Complete sentence: “They declined dinner because they had eaten already.” Use had + past participle to express an event completed before a later reference point in the past. The subject, time and meaning in the task determine this form. Only reviewed responses are matched automatically; other wording is not automatically wrong.
A new completed event follows the door opening.
Look at “The door opened and a stranger ___ inside.”. Use past simple to express the next completed event in a past narrative, rather than an earlier background event. Complete sentence: “The door opened and a stranger stepped inside.”.
The later discovery refers back to an earlier mistake.
Look at “We realised we ___ the wrong train an hour earlier.”. Use had + past participle to express an event completed before a later reference point in the past. Complete sentence: “We realised we had boarded the wrong train an hour earlier.”.
Use the past simple of ring for the event that interrupted the silence.
Complete sentence: “Everyone was listening quietly when a phone suddenly rang.” Use past simple to express the next completed event in a past narrative, rather than an earlier background event. The subject, time and meaning in the task determine this form. Only reviewed responses are matched automatically; other wording is not automatically wrong.