Simple past

The simple past tense has the following structure:

Subject + past tense form of the verb.

The glass broke.
Water boiled.
The bird flew up in the sky.
He did his work well.
The child cried.
The old man walked away.

Interrogative sentences in the simple past tense begin with did. Sometimes question words such as who, why, how, where etc., may precede did.

Why did you break the window?
Did the child cry?
Did you go there?
How did you see him?
Did you find anyone there?
Whom did you invite?

Past continuous tense

Sentences in the past continuous tense have the following structure:

Subject + was/were + ing form of the verb.

They were sleeping.
We were working in the garden.
It was raining.
I was doing the sums.
The dog was crying with pain.

Interrogative sentences in the past continuous tense have the following structure:

Was/were + subject + -ing form of the verb.

Were they sleeping?
Was she working in the garden?
Was the dog crying with pain?
Was he doing the sums?

Question words (why, where, how, when etc.) may sometimes precede was/were.

Why were you shouting so loudly?

Past perfect tense

Sentences in the past perfect tense have the following structure:

Subject + had + past participle form of the verb

I had never seen him before.
We had anticipated this happening.
The sun had risen.
The train had steamed out before I reached the station.
He had left before I came.

Interrogative sentences in the past perfect tense have the following structure:

Had + subject + past participle form of the verb

Had I seen him before?
Had we anticipated this happening?
Had the train steamed out before they reached the station?
Had he left before I came?

The question words who, why, where etc., may sometimes precede had.

Where had you hidden your treasure?

Past perfect continuous tense

Sentences in the past perfect continuous tense have the following structure:

Subject + had + been + -ing form of the verb

We had been waiting for you since long.
The birds had been chirping since morning.
She had been dancing for long.
He had been writing.

Interrogative sentences in the past perfect continuous tense have the following structure:

Had + subject + been + -ing form of the verb

Had you been waiting for me since long?
Had the birds been chirping since morning?
Had she been dancing for long?
Had he been writing?