1. 表示在过去某个时间发生的动作或存在的状态，常用yesterdaylast year, in 1995, the other day等作时间状语。
It was a terrible piece of work you turned in yesterday.
你昨天上交的作业真是很糟糕。
He came to work here two weeks ago.
他两周前来这儿上班的。
表示在过去一段时间内，经常性或习惯性的动作。
When I was a child, I often played football in the street.
Whenever the Browns went during their visit, they were given a warm welcome.
Brown夫妇访问期间，不论走到哪里，他们都能收到热烈欢迎。
3. 句型
It is time you went to bed.
I''d rather you came tomorrow.
我宁愿你明天来。
4. wish, wonder, think, hope等用过去时，作试探性的询问、请求、建议等。
I thought you might have some.
我原来以为你想要一些。Sorry, I didn’t see the sign over there.
对不起，我（刚才）没看见那边的指示牌。
在时间、条件从句中代替过去将来时。
He said he would not go if it rained.
他说要是下雨，他就不去。
有些句子，虽然没有明确的表示过去的时间状语，但实际上指的是过去发生的动作或状态，也要用一般过去时。常见的此类动词有knowthink, expect等，表示“本来认为”。
I didn't expect to meet you here. 我没想到会在这儿遇到你。
I thought he had heard the news. 我原以为他已经听说了这个消息。
1. 在时间状语从句和条件状语从句中用一般过去时表过去将来时
2. 没有时间状语时灵活选用一般过去时的情况
3. as if /as though引导的从句中用一般过去表虚拟语气
误区提醒
时间和条件状语从句中用错时态；没时间状语时习惯用一般现在时；虚拟语气中不懂用过去。小试牛刀
1. He said that they would go to the Great Wall if it ________ fine the next day.
A will be
B would be
C. is
D. was
2. —Your phone number again? I ________ quite catch it.
—It''s 69568442.
A. didn’t
B. couldn’t
C. don’t
D. can’t
3. It’s time that we ________ to make a plan for our holiday.
A. begin
B. began
C. beginning
D. are beginning
【答案及解析】
3. B【解析不知道本句型的构成错选A。表示“某人该做某事了”，要用It’s time that sb.+动词过去式。因此本题答案为B。
一般过去时与现在完成时
一般过去时表示在过去某个时间发生的事情、存在的状态或经常发生的动作，不强调对现在产生的影响，常与确定的过去时间状语连用；而现在完成时表示发生在过去的动作对现在造成的影响或结果，或一直持续到现在，不和确定的过去时间状语连用。
Christine was an actress all her life. (含义：她已不在人间。)
Christine has been an actress all her life. (含义：她现在还活着)
Mrs. Darby lived inKentuckyfor seven years. (含义：达比太太已不再住在肯塔基州。)
Mrs. Darby has lived inKentuckyfor seven years. (含义：现在还住在肯塔基州。)
用过去时表示现在，表示委婉语气。
情态动词could, would
Could you lend me your bike? 你能把你的自行车借给我吗？
Would you like something to drink? 你想喝点什么吗？
used to+do："过去常常"表示过去习惯性的动作或状态，隐含如今已不那样。
Mother used not to be so forgetful.