一般过去时

一般过去时用于表示过去发生的动作或过去存在的状态。

1. 一般过去时的肯定形式通过谓语动词的过去式来表示，并且不受主语的人称和数的影响。

Many people came to this city last year. 去年很多人来到这座城市。

He left hospital the next day. 第二天他离开了医院。

He decided to be an actor when he finished school. 他上完中学的时候就决定要成为一名演员。

当谓语动词为be时，一般过去时有两种形式：was 和 were。它们的用法如下:

1) 主语为第一人称 I 或第三人称单数时，谓语动词用was。

I was so tired this morning. 我今天早上真的很累。

This was only the beginning. 这仅仅是开始。

2) 其他情况下(主语为复数或第二人称you时)用were。

I am sorry to hear that you were ill. 听到你病了我很遗憾。

We were very tired after the long bike ride the day before. 前一天的长程单车旅行使我们很疲劳。

2. 一般过去时的否定形式为 did not + v。did not 的缩写形式为 didn't。

I didn't speak to him all day because I was very angry. 我整天都没有和他讲话，因为我很生气。

They did not know each other at that time. 他们那时相互并不认识。

当谓语动词为 be 时, 否定形式则不能使用助动词，而是直接在 be 动词后边加 not。 即 was not (缩写形式为 wasn't)，或者 were not (缩写形式为 weren't)。

The hotel was not as good as they expected.  旅馆没有他们想的那么好。

She found out that he wasn't an ordinary man. 她发现他并不是一个普通的人。

They were not cleverer than me, but they did pass their exams. 他们不比我聪明，但是他们确实通过了考试。(注: 本句中的 did 表示强调，意为“确实”)

As you weren't there I left a message. 因为你不在那里，所以我留了个信儿。

3.  一般过去时的一般疑问句句式如下：

Did you tell her the truth? 你告诉她真相了吗？

Were you at home yesterday? 你昨天在家吗？

Was he absent from school last week? 他上周没来上学吗？

4. 一般过去时的特殊疑问句句式如下:

What did your teacher say? 你门的老师说了什么？

When did the first astronaut go to the moon? 第一个宇航员在什么时候登月？

Why was she so late? 她为什么那么迟？

What was her question? 他的问题是什么？

Why didn't you tell me earlier? 你为什么不早点告诉我？