Tense Rules-2
Rules Related to Simple Past Tense
Rule9:-
If yesterday, previous day, ago, last night/ years/ month are used in sentence, then helping verb is always in simple past tense.
- I have passed the exam two years ago. (incorrect)
- I passed the exam two years ago. (correct)
Rule10:-
If a sentence starts with it’s time /it’s high time, then helping verb is always in simple past tense.
- It’s high time you went to bed. (correct)
Rule11:-
When a sentence contains two past actions, there should be a combination of v2 & had + v3. i.e. simple past tense and past perfect tense. Neither two simple past tense nor two past perfect tense should be used.
Now the confusion arises with which sentence we should simple past tense and past perfect tense. It should be noted that the past perfect tense should be used with the action happening first. As in the above example, the train arrived first before we reached, therefore, the past perfect tense should be used with the ‘the train had arrived…’
Sheena told me his name after he left for Delhi. (incorrect)
Sheena told me his name after he had left for Delhi. (correct) [first action:- leaving for Delhi, Second action: Telling his name]
Sheena had told me his name before he left for Delhi. (correct) [first action:- Telling his name, Second action: leaving for Delhi]
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