1. Simple Past Tense: This tense is used to talk about actions or events that happened in the past. It is formed by adding -ed to the present form of the verb (regular verbs) or by using irregular past tense forms.
Example: I walked to the store. (regular verb)
They went to the beach. (irregular verb)
2. Past Continuous Tense: This tense is used to talk about actions or events that were in progress at a specific time in the past. It is formed by using 'was/were' + the present participle of the verb (-ing form).
Example: She was reading a book when I arrived.
We were playing soccer in the park.
3. Past Perfect Tense: This tense is used to talk about actions or events that happened before another action or event in the past. It is formed by using 'had' + the past participle of the verb.
Example: I had finished my work before she came.
He had already eaten when we got to the restaurant.
4. Past Perfect Continuous Tense: This tense is used to talk about actions or events that had been going on for a period of time in the past. It is formed by using 'had been' + the present participle of the verb (-ing form).
Example: She had been waiting for over an hour when the bus finally arrived.
They had been studying for the exam for weeks when the day of the test arrived.