fromEnglish Grammar Today
There are a number of ways of talking about the past:
Wetalkedfor hours on the phone.(past simple)
Shewas runningto catch the bus.(past continuous)
I’vecleanedthe kitchen.(present perfect simple)
I’vebeenpainting.(present perfect continuous)
I’dpaidby credit card.(past perfect simple)
I’d been readingabout the accident in the paper.(past perfect continuous)
The kidswould playin the garden in the summer evenings and wewould sitand talk for hours.(modal verbwould)
Heused to playlots of sport when he was younger. He doesn’t seem to do any exercise now.(semi-modal verbused to)