Grammar: When is the past not the past? - BBC English Masterclass

Improve your English grammar with the BBC. You already know that to talk about the past in English, you have to use past tenses. But did you know that you can use past forms to talk about the present - or even the future? Watch this free online English lesson to find out how.

More in this series:
5 ways to talk about the future:

Using 'which' to add information:

Linking words of contrast:

How to mix conditionals:

Verb patterns: 'stop buying' or 'stop to buy'?

#learnenglish #bbcmasterclass #tenses

Transcript:
Sian
Hi, Sian here for BBC Learning English. Today we're going to look at past forms - easy, right? We use past forms to talk about things that happened in the past!

Well, it's not that simple! We also use past forms when we're not talking about the past. Here a few ways we do this.

Number 1
Listen to these two examples. Which one do you think my plan sounds less definite?

Number 1: I'm thinking of going to that party later. Or, number 2: I was thinking of going to that party later.

That's right. The second one is less definite. We use past here – I was thinking - to show that the plan isn't certain yet. I haven't made up my mind.

Number 2
Listen to these two examples. Which one sounds more polite? 1. Is your report ready yet? Or 2, I was wondering if your report was ready yet.

The second one, of course, is much more polite. We use past forms here – was wondering/was – to make the request less direct and more formal. You'll be surprised how often British people use this structure – we like being polite!

Number 3
Which of these two examples sound more urgent? It's time to leave. Or: It's time we left.

That's right – the second one sounds more urgent. The first example just means 'we should leave now': It's time to leave – the party starts in 20 minutes!

The second example, we use the past form. This conveys the idea that we should have already left! It's time we left – the party started hours ago.

Number 4
Which of these do you think sounds correct? I wish I have more time. Or, I wish I had more time.

That's right. The first one is not possible. To make wishes about the present we use the past form – I wish I had more time. We're not talking about the past here, we're talking about an unreal present situation. You could also use if only. If only I had more time.

Number 5
Which of these two examples sound less likely to happen? Suppose you lose your job. Or, Suppose you lost your job.

That's right. The second one sounds less likely to happen. We use the past after suppose or what if when we don't think something is likely to happen in the future.

[tammytsang]

You are quite a master in teaching. I wish I had you as my English teacher when I was in Hong Kong. Thank you ❤

[arissetiawan]

Sian I love it very much with body gesture when she is explaining material . Its look that she is passsionate teacher . Thanks Sian you're the best teacher

[sebastianalegria]

I'm grateful to be learning English, that's a better tool for us that love learn English like me, greetings from Chile

[abdirahmanali]

Wow!
I really love the way she teaches.
Your hardwork is much appreciated

[engin]

BBC English teaching department is a sweet shop with never ending varieties and surprises for the English learners,

[AMAN_GAMER]

I didn't think that I was aware of all of this by far, and i persume that's has acctully taught me something which is useful and concise, I appreciate sian for this.

[serhat]

This is the best English website I have ever seen keep going like that guys, I really appreciate your efforts.I am gonna be much more better with these kind videos I am pretty sure.

[qequitu]

Thanks alot...the way that Sian use make the Grammar very easy to learn.

[artemedutech]

the 4th is the most obscure for me. suppose I hardly used that :) Thanks for enreaching our English, Sean! take care

[Ashukumar-ljrh]

Hi, I am Ashu from India, and i have seen your videos. I highly appreciate the way you teach. you are a great teacher...plz keep doing new lessions on English. Thanks

[emersoms]

Sian, I love your videos! This tip it's so hard for me, but I think I going to learning more when I try to use it. Thanks again for the tips! And sorry for my English mistakes!

[sv]

thank you a lot! it's very useful lesson. i have never known about that details about using past tenses.

[rhpvtqf]

BBC learning English resource is so good , love it so much, many thanks !!

[Rocky-bidv]

that said, I really enjoy learning English. the more challenges I  have, the more enjoyabel it is to get them over !!

[baskarraj]

Teaching methods was good I like this video Sian six minutes learning English lot of vedios me saw now improve my English knowledge thanks Sian me indian one year ago I am continuing learning English

[HarshRao]

guys, this playlist is full of awesome and well scripted videos, love it.. BBC team thank you..
found polite way to ask reports now .. 😉

[kishore_Vlogs]

Mr.Tim and all BCC English team are very helpful to me..

[monataha]

These videos are very useful, thanks for your efforts and I am waiting for the more.
I want a video about words related with "get" and "would".

[AliOmar-icqe]

Great lesson, beautiful teacher and nice view.
We need lessons about " IF clause ".

[mariamkinen]

I love the hues of these examples. Real life. Thanks.