USES OF PAST SIMPLE TENSE

USES OF PAST SIMPLE TENSE

The Past Simple is used for completed actions in the past. Think of it as a "closed chapter" – the action started and finished at a specific time before now.

1. Completed Actions at a Specific Time

The action happened at a definite time (yesterday, last week, in 2010, 5 minutes ago).

Example: I visited Pokhara last year.
(मैले गत वर्ष पोखरा भ्रमण गरें।)

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2. A Series of Completed Actions (Storytelling)

Listing events that happened one after another in the past.

Example: I woke up, ate breakfast, and went to school.
(म उठें, खाना खाएँ, र स्कुल गएँ।)

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3. Duration in the Past (Now Finished)

Actions that lasted for a period of time but are completely over now.

Example: She lived in London for 5 years.
(उनी लन्डनमा ५ वर्ष बसिन्।) – She doesn't live there now.

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4. Past Habits (Now Finished)

Things that happened regularly in the past but don't happen anymore.

Example: I played football every day as a child.
(म बाल्यकालमा हरेक दिन फुटबल खेल्थें।)

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5. Polite Questions or Requests (Less common but used)

Slightly more polite than Present Simple for questions.

Example: Did you want to see me?
(के तपाईं मलाई भेट्न चाहनुहुन्थ्यो?)

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TIPS & STRATEGIES FOR MASTERING PAST SIMPLE

🔑 Tip 1: Learn the Two Types of Verbs

Regular Verbs (+ed)	Irregular Verbs (Change form)
Walk → Walked	Go → Went
Work → Worked	Eat → Ate
Play → Played	Buy → Bought

Strategy: Regular verbs are easy – just add -ed. For irregular verbs, you must memorize them (use flashcards!).

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🔑 Tip 2: Look for Time Markers (Keywords)

These words almost always signal Past Simple:

• Yesterday (हिजो)
• Last (last week, last month, last year – गत)
• Ago (2 days ago, 5 years ago – अघि)
• In + past year (in 2015, in 1990 – साल)
• When + past action (When I was a child...)

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🔑 Tip 3: The "Did" Secret for Questions & Negatives

For questions, use Did + base verb.
(Did you eat? NOT Did you ate?)

For negatives, use Did not (didn't) + base verb.
(I didn't go. NOT I didn't went.)

Strategy: When you see "did," the main verb ALWAYS goes back to its base form (infinitive without to).

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🔑 Tip 4: Nepali Translation Trick (नेपालीमा कसरी चिन्ने?)

In Nepali, Past Simple often ends with:

• -ें (म गरें - I did)
• -यो / -यो (उसले गर्यो - He did)
• -इन् / -ए (उनले गरिन् / गरे - She did)
• -यौं (हामी गर्यौं - We did)
• -ए (उनीहरूले गरे - They did)

If you see these endings, it's almost always Past Simple!

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🔑 Tip 5: "Used to" vs Past Simple

Both describe past habits, but:

• Past Simple = can be a single action (I went once.)
• Used to = ONLY for past habits/states (I used to play every day.)

Strategy: If you mean "this happened once," use Past Simple. If you mean "this was a routine that is now over," you can use either, but "used to" emphasizes the change.

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🔑 Tip 6: Watch out for these common mistakes!

❌ Wrong	✅ Correct	Reason
I did not went.	I did not go.	After "did," use base verb.
Did you saw him?	Did you see him?	After "did," use base verb.
She goed home.	She went home.	"Go" is irregular → "went."
I have seen him yesterday.	I saw him yesterday.	With "yesterday," use Past Simple, not Present Perfect.

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50 EXAMPLES OF PAST SIMPLE (English + Nepali)

Part 1: Regular Verbs (-ed) – 15 Sentences

1.      I walked to the park yesterday.
म हिजो पार्कमा हिँडें। (Ma hijo park-ma hidem.)

2.      She cooked dinner for us.
उनले हाम्रो लागि खाना पकाइन्। (Unle hamro lagi khana pakain.)

3.      We watched a great movie last night.
हामीले हिजो राती एउटा राम्रो सिनेमा हेर्यौं। (Hamile hijo rati euta ramro cinema heryau.)

4.      He played tennis with his friend.
उनले आफ्नो साथीसँग टेनिस खेले। (Unle aafno sathisanga tennis khele.)

5.      They visited their uncle in Kathmandu.
उनीहरूले काठमाडौंमा आफ्नो काकालाई भेटे। (Uniharule Kathmanduma aafno kakalai bhete.)

6.      I cleaned my room this morning.
मैले आज बिहान आफ्नो कोठा सफा गरें। (Maile aaj bihan aafno kotha safa garem.)

7.      She studied hard for the exam.
उनले परीक्षाको लागि धेरै मेहनत गरिन्। (Unle parikshako lagi dherai mehanat garin.)

8.      We enjoyed the party very much.
हामीले पार्टीमा धेरै रमाइलो गर्यौं। (Hamile party-ma dherai ramailo garyau.)

9.      He stopped the car suddenly.
उनले अचानक गाडी रोके। (Unle achanak gadi roke.)

10. They helped the old man cross the road.
उनीहरूले बुढो मानिसलाई सडक पार गर्न मद्दत गरे। (Uniharule budho manisalai sadak par garna maddat gare.)

11. I called my mother yesterday.
मैले हिजो आमालाई फोन गरें। (Maile hijo aamalai phone garem.)

12. She waited for the bus for 20 minutes.
उनले २० मिनेट बसको पर्खाइ गरिन्। (Unle 20 minute bas ko parkhai garin.)

13. We worked in the garden all day.
हामीले दिनभर बगैंचामा काम गर्यौं। (Hamile dinbhar bagainchama kam garyau.)

14. He carried a heavy bag.
उनले एउटा भारी झोला बोके। (Unle euta bhari jhola boke.)

15. They danced until midnight.
उनीहरू मध्यरातसम्म नाचे। (Uniharu madhyarat-samma nache.)

Part 2: Irregular Verbs – 15 Sentences

1.      I went to school by bicycle.
म साइकलले स्कुल गएँ। (Ma cycle-le school gaem.)

2.      She ate rice and curry for lunch.
उनले दिउँसो भात र तरकारी खाइन्। (Unle diuso bhat ra tarkari khain.)

3.      We saw a beautiful sunrise.
हामीले एउटा सुन्दर सूर्योदय देख्यौं। (Hamile euta sundar suryodaya dekhyau.)

4.      He bought a new phone last week.
उनले गत हप्ता नयाँ फोन किने। (Unle gata hapta naya phone kine.)

5.      They came to our house for dinner.
उनीहरू खाना खान हाम्रो घर आए। (Uniharu khana khan hamro ghar aae.)

6.      I took a shower before breakfast.
मैले खाना अघि नुहाएँ। (Maile khana aghi nuhaem.)

7.      She wrote a long letter to her friend.
उनले आफ्नो साथीलाई लामो चिठी लेखिन्। (Unle aafno sathilai lamo chithi lekhin.)

8.      We drank tea and talked for hours.
हामीले चिया पियौं र घण्टौं कुरा गर्यौं। (Hamile chiya piyau ra ghantaun kura garyau.)

9.      He gave me a wonderful gift.
उनले मलाई एउटा अद्भुत उपहार दिए। (Unle malai euta adbhut upahar die.)

10. They built a house in the village.
उनीहरूले गाउँमा एउटा घर बनाए। (Uniharule gaunma euta ghar banae.)

11. I knew the answer to that question.
मलाई त्यो प्रश्नको जवाफ थाहा थियो। (Malai tyo prashnako jawaf thaha thiyo.)

12. She spoke fluent English.
उनी धाराप्रवाह अंग्रेजी बोल्थिन्। (Uni dharaprawah Angreji bolthin.)

13. We drove to Pokhara last summer.
हामी गत ग्रीष्ममा पोखरा गाडी चलाएर गयौं। (Hami gat grishma-ma Pokhara gadi chalaera gayau.)

14. He woke up very late this morning.
उनी आज बिहान धेरै ढिला उठे। (Uni aaj bihan dherai dhila uthhe.)

15. They ran 5 kilometers in the morning.
उनीहरू बिहान ५ किलोमिटर दौडे। (Uniharu bihan 5 kilometer daude.)

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Part 3: Negative Sentences (Did not / Didn't) – 10 Sentences

1.      I did not go to the market yesterday.
म हिजो बजार गएँन। (Ma hijo bajar gaena.)

2.      She did not eat anything this morning.
उनले आज बिहान केही खाइनन्। (Unle aaj bihan kehi khainnan.)

3.      We did not watch the news last night.
हामीले हिजो राती समाचार हेरेनौं। (Hamile hijo rati samachar herenau.)

4.      He did not finish his homework on time.
उनले समयमा आफ्नो गृहकार्य सकेनन्। (Unle samayama aafno gruhakarya sakenan.)

5.      They did not arrive until 9 PM.
उनीहरू राति ९ बजेसम्म आइपुगेनन्। (Uniharu rati 9 baje-samma aipugenan.)

6.      I didn't like that movie at all.
मलाई त्यो सिनेमा बिल्कुल मन परेन। (Malai tyo cinema bilkul man parena.)

7.      She didn't tell me the truth.
उनले मलाई सत्य बताइनन्। (Unle malai satya batainnan.)

8.      We didn't have enough money.
हामीसँग पर्याप्त पैसा थिएन। (Hamisanga paryapt paisa thiyena.)

9.      He didn't sleep well last night.
उनी हिजो राती राम्ररी सुतेनन्। (Uni hijo rati ramrari sutenan.)

10. The teacher did not come to class today.
शिक्षक आज कक्षामा आउनुभएन। (Shikshak aaj class-ma aunubhaena.)

Part 4: Questions (Did + Subject + Base Verb) – 10 Sentences

1.      Did you go to the temple yesterday?
के तपाईं हिजो मन्दिर जानुभयो? (Ke tapai hijo mandir janubhayo?)

2.      Did she cook dinner last night?
के उनले हिजो राती खाना पकाइन्? (Ke unle hijo rati khana pakain?)

3.      Did they enjoy the trip?
के उनीहरूले यात्राको रमाइलो गरे? (Ke uniharule yatrako ramailo gare?)

4.      Did you see my keys anywhere?
के तपाईंले मेरो साँचो कतै देख्नुभयो? (Ke tapale mero sancho katai dekhnubhayo?)

5.      Did he call you this morning?
के उनले आज बिहान तपाईंलाई फोन गरे? (Ke unle aaj bihan tapailai phone gare?)

6.      Did we miss the bus?
के हामीले बस छुट्यौं? (Ke hamile bas chhutyau?)

7.      Did she know about the surprise?
के उनलाई आश्चर्यको बारेमा थाहा थियो? (Ke unlai ashcharyako barema thaha thiyo?)

8.      Did they buy a new house?
के उनीहरूले नयाँ घर किने? (Ke uniharule naya ghar kine?)

9.      Did you finish your project?
के तपाईंले आफ्नो प्रोजेक्ट सक्नुभयो? (Ke tapale aafno project saknubhayo?)

10. What did you eat for breakfast?
तपाईंले बिहानको खानामा के खानुभयो? (Tapale bihan ko khanama ke khanubhayo?)

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QUICK REVISION TABLE (Past Simple in Nepali Context)

English Structure	Nepali Ending	Example (English)	Example (Nepali)
Subject + V2 (Positive)	-ें, -यो, -इन्, -यौं, -ए	I worked.	मैले काम गरें।
Subject + didn't + V1 (Negative)	-एँन, -इनन्, -एनौं	I didn't work.	मैले काम गरिनँ।
Did + Subject + V1? (Question)	के ... -नुभयो? / -यो?	Did you work?	के तपाईंले काम गर्नुभयो?

PART 1: SIMPLE PAST TENSE (Completed Actions in the Past) – 25 Examples

1.      I visited my grandparents yesterday.
मैले हिजो हजुरबा-हजुरआमालाई भेटें। (Maile hijo hajurba-hajuraamalai bhetem.)

2.      She cooked delicious food for the family.
उनले परिवारका लागि स्वादिलो खाना पकाइन्। (Unle pariwarka lagi swadilo khana pakain.)

3.      We watched a football match last night.
हामीले हिजो राति फुटबल खेल हेर्यौं। (Hamile hijo rati football khel heryau.)

4.      He bought a new laptop last month.
उनले गत महिना नयाँ ल्यापटप किने। (Unle gata mahina naya laptop kine.)

5.      They traveled to Pokhara during the holidays.
उनीहरू बिदाको समयमा पोखरा गए। (Uniharu bida ko samayama Pokhara gae.)

6.      I finished my homework before dinner.
मैले बेलुकाको खाना खानुअघि गृहकार्य सकाएँ। (Maile belukako khana khanuaaghi grihakarya sakae.)

7.      She cleaned her room in the morning.
उनले बिहान आफ्नो कोठा सफा गरिन्। (Unle bihan aafno kotha safa garin.)

8.      We played badminton after school.
हामी स्कुलपछि ब्याडमिन्टन खेल्यौं। (Hami school-pachhi badminton khelyau.)

9.      He wrote an email to his teacher.
उनले आफ्नो शिक्षकलाई एउटा इमेल लेखे। (Unle aafno shikshaklai euta email lekhe.)

10. They planted trees in the village.
उनीहरूले गाउँमा रुख रोपे। (Uniharule gaunma rukh rope.)

11. I met my best friend at the market.
मैले बजारमा मेरो सबैभन्दा मिल्ने साथीलाई भेटें। (Maile bajarma mero sabaibhanda milne sathilai bhetem.)

12. She sang a beautiful song.
उनले एउटा सुन्दर गीत गाइन्। (Unle euta sundar geet gain.)

13. We drank coffee together.
हामीले सँगै कफी पियौं। (Hamile sangai coffee piyau.)

14. He lost his wallet yesterday.
उनले हिजो आफ्नो पर्स हराए। (Unle hijo aafno purse harae.)

15. They arrived at the airport on time.
उनीहरू समयमै विमानस्थल पुगे। (Uniharu samayamai bimanasthal puge.)

16. I didn't sleep well last night.
म हिजो राति राम्रोसँग सुतिनँ। (Ma hijo rati ramrosanga sutina.)

17. She didn't answer my phone call.
उनले मेरो फोनको जवाफ दिइनन्। (Unle mero phoneko jawaf diinan.)

18. We didn't understand the lesson.
हामीले पाठ बुझेनौं। (Hamile path bujhenau.)

19. He didn't come to school yesterday.
उनी हिजो विद्यालय आएनन्। (Uni hijo bidyalaya aaenan.)

20. They didn't finish the project.
उनीहरूले परियोजना पूरा गरेनन्। (Uniharule pariyojana pura garenan.)

21. Did you enjoy the concert?
के तपाईंले कार्यक्रममा रमाइलो गर्नुभयो? (Ke tapaile karyakramma ramailo garnubhayo?)

22. Did she call you yesterday?
के उनले हिजो तपाईंलाई फोन गरिन्? (Ke unle hijo tapailai phone garin?)

23. Did they win the match?
के उनीहरूले खेल जिते? (Ke uniharule khel jite?)

24. Where did you buy this book?
तपाईंले यो किताब कहाँ किन्नुभयो? (Tapaile yo kitab kaha kinnubhayo?)

25. Why did he leave early?
उनी किन चाँडै गए? (Uni kin chadai gae?)

PART 2: PAST CONTINUOUS TENSE (Actions in Progress in the Past) – 25 Examples

1.      I was reading a book when you called me.
तपाईंले फोन गर्दा म एउटा किताब पढ्दै थिएँ। (Tapainle phone garda ma euta kitab padhdai thiem.)

2.      She was cooking dinner at 7 PM.
उनी बेलुका ७ बजे खाना पकाउँदै थिइन्। (Uni beluka 7 baje khana pakaudai thiin.)

3.      We were watching television when the electricity went off.
बिजुली जाँदा हामी टेलिभिजन हेरिरहेका थियौं। (Bijuli janda hami television heriraheka thiyau.)

4.      He was sleeping when I arrived.
म आइपुग्दा उनी सुतिरहेका थिए। (Ma aipugda uni sutiraheka thiye.)

5.      They were playing football in the rain.
उनीहरू वर्षामा फुटबल खेलिरहेका थिए। (Uniharu barshama football kheliraheka thiye.)

6.      I was writing an email all morning.
म बिहानभर इमेल लेख्दै थिएँ। (Ma bihanbhar email lekhdai thiem.)

7.      She was talking to her mother on the phone.
उनी फोनमा आफ्नी आमासँग कुरा गर्दै थिइन्। (Uni phonema aafni aamasanga kura gardai thiin.)

8.      We were waiting for the bus.
हामी बसको पर्खाइ गर्दै थियौं। (Hami busko parkhai gardai thiyau.)

9.      He was driving very carefully.
उनी धेरै सावधानीपूर्वक गाडी चलाइरहेका थिए। (Uni dherai sawadhanipurwak gadi chalairaheka thiye.)

10. They were studying for the final exam.
उनीहरू अन्तिम परीक्षाको तयारी गर्दै थिए। (Uniharu antim parikshako tayari gardai thiye.)

11. I was learning English at that time.
त्यस समयमा म अंग्रेजी सिक्दै थिएँ। (Tyas samayama ma Angreji sikdai thiem.)

12. She was wearing a blue dress.
उनी निलो पोशाक लगाइरहेकी थिइन्। (Uni nilo poshak lagaireheki thiin.)

13. We were having lunch together.
हामी सँगै खाना खाइरहेका थियौं। (Hami sangai khana khairaheka thiyau.)

14. He was repairing his bicycle.
उनी आफ्नो साइकल मर्मत गर्दै थिए। (Uni aafno cycle marmat gardai thiye.)

15. They were laughing loudly.
उनीहरू ठूलो स्वरले हाँसिरहेका थिए। (Uniharu thulo swarle hasiraheka thiye.)

16. I was not listening to the teacher.
म शिक्षकको कुरा सुनिरहेको थिइनँ। (Ma shikshakko kura suniraheko thiina.)

17. She wasn't feeling well yesterday.
उनी हिजो राम्रो महसुस गरिरहेकी थिइनन्। (Uni hijo ramro mahasus gariraheki thiinan.)

18. We weren't making any noise.
हामी कुनै हल्ला गरिरहेका थिएनौं। (Hami kunai halla gariraheka thiyenau.)

19. He wasn't working yesterday afternoon.
उनी हिजो दिउँसो काम गरिरहेका थिएनन्। (Uni hijo diuso kam gariraheka thiyenan.)

20. They weren't paying attention.
उनीहरूले ध्यान दिइरहेका थिएनन्। (Uniharule dhyan diiraheka thiyenan.)

21. Were you studying last night?
के तपाईं हिजो राति पढ्दै हुनुहुन्थ्यो? (Ke tapai hijo rati padhdai hunuhunthyo?)

22. Was she waiting for you?
के उनी तपाईंको पर्खाइ गर्दै थिइन्? (Ke uni tapaiko parkhai gardai thiin?)

23. Were they playing cricket?
के उनीहरू क्रिकेट खेलिरहेका थिए? (Ke uniharu cricket kheliraheka thiye?)

24. What were you doing at 8 PM?
बेलुका ८ बजे तपाईं के गर्दै हुनुहुन्थ्यो? (Beluka 8 baje tapai ke gardai hunuhunthyo?)

25. Why was he crying?
उनी किन रुँदै थिए? (Uni kin rudai thiye.)

PART 3: PAST PERFECT TENSE (Actions Completed Before Another Past Action) – 25 Examples

1.      I had finished my homework before my father came home.
बुबा घर आउनुअघि मैले गृहकार्य सकाइसकेको थिएँ। (Buba ghar aaunuaaghi maile grihakarya sakaisakeko thiem.)

2.      She had cooked dinner before the guests arrived.
पाहुनाहरू आइपुग्नुअघि उनले खाना पकाइसकेकी थिइन्। (Pahunaharu aipugnuaaghi unle khana pakaisakeki thiin.)

3.      We had left the office before it started raining.
पानी पर्न सुरु हुनुअघि हामी कार्यालयबाट निस्किसकेका थियौं। (Pani parna suru hunuaaghi hami karyalayabata niskisakeka thiyau.)

4.      He had already eaten when I called him.
मैले फोन गर्दा उनले पहिले नै खाना खाइसकेका थिए। (Maile phone garda unle pahile nai khana khaisakeka thiye.)

5.      They had reached the station before the train arrived.
रेल आइपुग्नुअघि उनीहरू स्टेसन पुगिसकेका थिए। (Rail aipugnuaaghi uniharu station pugisakeka thiye.)

6.      I had seen that movie before.
मैले त्यो सिनेमा पहिले नै हेरिसकेको थिएँ। (Maile tyo cinema pahile nai herisakeko thiem.)

7.      She had completed her project on time.
उनले आफ्नो परियोजना समयमा पूरा गरिसकेकी थिइन्। (Unle aafno pariyojana samayama pura garisakeki thiin.)

8.      We had visited Lumbini twice before 2024.
हामीले २०२४ अघि दुई पटक लुम्बिनी भ्रमण गरिसकेका थियौं। (Hamile 2024 aghi dui patak Lumbini bhraman garisakeka thiyau.)

9.      He had lost his wallet before he reached the office.
कार्यालय पुग्नुअघि उनले आफ्नो पर्स हराइसकेका थिए। (Karyalaya pugnuaaghi unle aafno purse haraisakeka thiye.)

10. They had built the bridge before the monsoon began.
मनसुन सुरु हुनुअघि उनीहरूले पुल बनाइसकेका थिए। (Monsun suru hunuaaghi uniharule pul banaisakeka thiye.)

11. I had never seen snow before that trip.
त्यो यात्राअघि मैले कहिल्यै हिउँ देखेको थिइनँ। (Tyo yatraaghi maile kahilyai hiun dekheko thiina.)

12. She had forgotten my name.
उनले मेरो नाम बिर्सिसकेकी थिइन्। (Unle mero naam birsisakeki thiin.)

13. We had already started the meeting.
हामीले बैठक सुरु गरिसकेका थियौं। (Hamile baithak suru garisakeka thiyau.)

14. He had written three letters before lunch.
दिउँसोको खानाअघि उनले तीनवटा चिठी लेखिसकेका थिए। (Diusoko khanaaghi unle tinwata chithi lekhisakeka thiye.)

15. They had sold their old car.
उनीहरूले आफ्नो पुरानो गाडी बेचिसकेका थिए। (Uniharule aafno purano gadi bechisakeka thiye.)

16. I had not finished my work before sunset.
सूर्यास्त हुनुअघि मैले आफ्नो काम सकाएको थिइनँ। (Suryasta hunuaaghi maile aafno kam sakayeko thiina.)

17. She had not heard the news before yesterday.
हिजोअघि उनले त्यो समाचार सुनेकी थिइनन्। (Hijoaghi unle tyo samachar suneki thiinan.)

18. We had not met before the conference.
सम्मेलनअघि हामी भेटेका थिएनौं। (Sammelanaghi hami bheteka thiyenau.)

19. He had not completed the report.
उनले प्रतिवेदन पूरा गरेका थिएनन्। (Unle pratibedan pura gareka thiyenan.)

20. They had not informed us earlier.
उनीहरूले हामीलाई पहिले जानकारी दिएका थिएनन्। (Uniharule hamilai pahile jankari dieka thiyenan.)

21. Had you finished your homework before dinner?
के बेलुकाको खानाअघि तपाईंले गृहकार्य सकाइसक्नुभएको थियो? (Ke belukako khanaaghi tapaile grihakarya sakaisaknubhako thiyo?)

22. Had she already left when you arrived?
तपाईं आइपुग्दा के उनी पहिले नै गइसकेकी थिइन्? (Tapai aipugda ke uni pahile nai gaisakeki thiin?)

23. Had they seen the report before the meeting?
के बैठकअघि उनीहरूले प्रतिवेदन देखेका थिए? (Ke baithakaghi uniharule pratibedan dekheka thiye?)

24. Why had he left so early?
उनी किन यति चाँडै गएका थिए? (Uni kin yeti chadai gaeka thiye?)

25. Where had you kept the keys?
तपाईंले साँचो कहाँ राख्नुभएको थियो? (Tapaile sancho kaha rakhnubhako thiyo?)

PART 4: PAST PERFECT CONTINUOUS TENSE (Actions That Had Been Continuing Before Another Past Action) – 25 Examples

1.      I had been waiting for you for an hour before you arrived.
तपाईं आइपुग्नुअघि म एक घण्टादेखि तपाईंको पर्खाइ गर्दै थिएँ। (Tapai aipugnuaaghi ma ek ghanta-dekhi tapaiko parkhai gardai thiem.)

2.      She had been studying since morning before the exam started.
परीक्षा सुरु हुनुअघि उनी बिहानदेखि पढ्दै थिइन्। (Pariksha suru hunuaaghi uni bihan-dekhi padhdai thiin.)

3.      We had been working on the project for two months before we finished it.
हामीले परियोजना सकाउनुअघि दुई महिनादेखि त्यसमा काम गर्दै आएका थियौं। (Hamile pariyojana sakaunuaaghi dui mahina-dekhi tyasma kam gardai aeka thiyau.)

4.      He had been playing football for three hours before it started raining.
पानी पर्न सुरु हुनुअघि उनी तीन घण्टादेखि फुटबल खेल्दै थिए। (Pani parna suru hunuaaghi uni tin ghanta-dekhi football kheldai thiye.)

5.      They had been living in Kathmandu for ten years before they moved to Pokhara.
पोखरा सर्नुअघि उनीहरू दस वर्षदेखि काठमाडौंमा बस्दै आएका थिए। (Pokhara sarnuaaghi uniharu das barsha-dekhi Kathmandu-ma basdai aeka thiye.)

6.      It had been raining all night before the weather cleared.
मौसम खुल्नुअघि रातभर पानी परिरहेको थियो। (Mausam khulnuaaghi ratabhar pani pariraheko thiyo.)

7.      I had been learning English for five years before I went abroad.
विदेश जानुअघि म पाँच वर्षदेखि अंग्रेजी सिक्दै आएको थिएँ। (Bidesh januaaghi ma panch barsha-dekhi Angreji sikdai aeko thiem.)

8.      She had been working at the bank before she resigned.
राजीनामा दिनुअघि उनी बैंकमा काम गर्दै आएकी थिइन्। (Rajinama dinuaaghi uni bank-ma kam gardai aeki thiin.)

9.      We had been discussing the problem before the teacher entered the class.
शिक्षक कक्षामा प्रवेश गर्नुअघि हामी समस्याबारे छलफल गर्दै थियौं। (Shikshak kakshama prabesh garnuaaghi hami samasyabare chhalphal gardai thiyau.)

10. He had been reading the newspaper before breakfast.
बिहानको खानाअघि उनी समाचारपत्र पढ्दै थिए। (Bihanko khanaaghi uni samacharpatra padhdai thiye.)

11. They had been building the house for a year before they completed it.
घर पूरा गर्नुअघि उनीहरू एक वर्षदेखि घर बनाउँदै आएका थिए। (Ghar pura garnuaaghi uniharu ek barsha-dekhi ghar banaudai aeka thiye.)

12. I had been feeling tired before I took a rest.
आराम गर्नुअघि म थकाइ महसुस गर्दै थिएँ। (Aram garnuaaghi ma thakai mahasus gardai thiem.)

13. She had been writing emails all afternoon before the meeting.
बैठकअघि उनी दिउँसभर इमेल लेख्दै थिइन्। (Baithakaghi uni diusobhar email lekhdai thiin.)

14. We had been traveling for twelve hours before we reached home.
घर पुग्नुअघि हामी बाह्र घण्टादेखि यात्रा गरिरहेका थियौं। (Ghar pugnuaaghi hami bahra ghanta-dekhi yatra gariraheka thiyau.)

15. He had been practicing the guitar every evening before the concert.
कार्यक्रमअघि उनी हरेक साँझ गितार अभ्यास गर्दै आएका थिए। (Karyakramaghi uni harek sanjh guitar abhyas gardai aeka thiye.)

16. I had not been sleeping well before I visited the doctor.
डाक्टरलाई भेट्नुअघि म राम्रोसँग सुतिरहेको थिइनँ। (Doctorlai bhetnuaaghi ma ramrosanga sutiraheko thiina.)

17. She had not been eating properly before she became sick.
बिरामी हुनुअघि उनी राम्रोसँग खाना खाइरहेकी थिइनन्। (Birami hunuaaghi uni ramrosanga khana khairaheki thiinan.)

18. We had not been talking to each other before we became friends again.
फेरि साथी बन्नुअघि हामी एक-अर्कासँग कुरा गरिरहेका थिएनौं। (Pheri sathi bannuaaghi hami ek-arkasanga kura gariraheka thiyenau.)

19. He had not been working regularly before he got a new job.
नयाँ जागिर पाउनुअघि उनी नियमित रूपमा काम गरिरहेका थिएनन्। (Naya jagir paunuaaghi uni niyamit rupma kam gariraheka thiyenan.)

20. They had not been attending school regularly before the examinations.
परीक्षाअघि उनीहरू नियमित रूपमा विद्यालय गइरहेका थिएनन्। (Parikshaaghi uniharu niyamit rupma bidyalaya gairaheka thiyenan.)

21. Had you been waiting long before the bus arrived?
बस आइपुग्नुअघि के तपाईं धेरै बेरदेखि पर्खिरहेका हुनुहुन्थ्यो? (Bus aipugnuaaghi ke tapai dherai ber-dekhi parkhiraheka hunuhunthyo?)

22. Had she been working there before she changed her job?
जागिर परिवर्तन गर्नुअघि के उनी त्यहाँ काम गरिरहेकी थिइन्? (Jagir pariwartan garnuaaghi ke uni tyaha kam gariraheki thiin?)

23. Had they been living in Nepal before they moved to India?
भारत जानुअघि के उनीहरू नेपालमा बस्दै आएका थिए? (Bharat januaaghi ke uniharu Nepal-ma basdai aeka thiye?)

24. How long had you been studying before the test began?
परीक्षा सुरु हुनुअघि तपाईं कति समयदेखि पढ्दै हुनुहुन्थ्यो? (Pariksha suru hunuaaghi tapai kati samaya-dekhi padhdai hunuhunthyo?)

25. Why had he been ignoring your messages before he apologized?
माफी माग्नुअघि उनले तपाईंका सन्देशहरू किन बेवास्ता गरिरहेका थिए? (Maphi magnuaaghi unle tapaika sandeshharu kin bewasta gariraheka thiye?)

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Summary of the Four Past Tenses

Tense	Structure	Example
Simple Past	Subject + V²	I visited my friend. (मैले मेरो साथीलाई भेटें।)
Past Continuous	Subject + was/were + V-ing	I was reading a book. (म किताब पढ्दै थिएँ।)
Past Perfect	Subject + had + V³	I had finished my work. (मैले आफ्नो काम सकाइसकेको थिएँ।)
Past Perfect Continuous	Subject + had been + V-ing	I had been studying for two hours. (म दुई घण्टादेखि पढ्दै आएको थिएँ।)

 

OVERVIEW COMPARISON TABLE (Quick Reference)

Tense	Use	Nepali Clue	Common Time Adverbs
Past Simple	Finished action at a specific time	-ें, -यो, -इन्, -यौं, -ए	yesterday, last week, ago, in 2010
Past Continuous	Action in progress at a specific past time	-दै थियो / -दै थिइन्	at 5 PM, while, when, all morning
Past Perfect	Action completed BEFORE another past action	-सकेको थियो / -ेको थियो	already, just, by the time, before, after
Past Perfect Continuous	Ongoing action that was happening before another past action	-दै थियो (for duration)	for, since, before, by the time, when

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PART 1: PAST SIMPLE TENSE

Uses:

1. Completed actions at a specific time
(I visited Nepal in 2015.)

2. A series of completed actions
(He woke up, ate, and left.)

3. Past habits or states (now finished)
(She lived in Pokhara for 3 years.)

4. Duration in the past (completely over)
(I worked there for 5 years.)

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Time Adverbs for Past Simple:

• Yesterday (हिजो)
• Last (last night, last week, last month, last year – गत / अघिल्लो)
• Ago (2 days ago, 5 years ago – अघि)
• In + past year (in 2010, in 1990 – सालमा)
• When (when I was a child – जब)
• Just now (भर्खरै)
• Then (त्यसपछि)
• Once (एक पटक)
• The other day (अर्को दिन)

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10 Examples of Past Simple

1. I watched a movie yesterday.
मैले हिजो एउटा सिनेमा हेरें। (Maile hijo euta cinema herem.)

2. She went to Kathmandu last week.
उनी गत हप्ता काठमाडौं गइन्। (Uni gata hapta Kathmandu gain.)

3. They arrived 10 minutes ago.
उनीहरू १० मिनेट अघि आइपुगे। (Uniharu 10 minute aghi aipuge.)

4. He was born in 1990.
उनको जन्म सन् १९९० मा भएको थियो। (Unko janma san 1990 ma bhaeko thiyo.)

5. I ate rice and curry this morning.
मैले आज बिहान भात र तरकारी खाएँ। (Maile aaj bihan bhat ra tarkari khayem.)

6. We played football the other day.
हामी अर्को दिन फुटबल खेल्यौं। (Hami arko din football khelyau.)

7. She called me just now.
उनले भर्खरै मलाई फोन गरिन्। (Unle bharkharai malai phone garin.)

8. He worked at that company for 10 years.
उनले त्यो कम्पनीमा १० वर्ष काम गरे। (Unle tyo company-ma 10 barsha kam gare.)

9. When I was young, I lived in the village.
जब म सानो थिएँ, म गाउँमा बसें। (Jab ma sano thiyem, ma gaunma basem.)

10. Did you see the accident last night?
के तपाईंले हिजो राती दुर्घटना देख्नुभयो? (Ke tapale hijo rati durghatana dekhnubhayo?)

PART 2: PAST CONTINUOUS TENSE

Uses:

1. An action in progress at a specific time in the past
(I was sleeping at 10 PM.)

2. Interrupted actions (longer action interrupted by a shorter one)
(I was eating when the phone rang.)

3. Two parallel actions happening at the same time
(I was cooking while she was cleaning.)

4. Temporary past habits (annoying habits)
(He was always complaining.)

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Time Adverbs for Past Continuous:

• At + specific time (at 5 PM, at midnight – बजे)
• While / As (जबकि / भइरहँदा)
• When (जब – for interruption)
• All morning / all day / all night (दिनभर / रातभर)
• From 3 to 5 PM (बजेदेखि बजेसम्म)
• At that time / at that moment (त्यो समयमा)
• Constantly / always (for repeated habits – सधैं)

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10 Examples of Past Continuous

1. I was sleeping at 10 PM last night.
म हिजो राती १० बजे सुतिरहेको थिएँ। (Ma hijo rati 10 baje sutiraheko thiyem.)

2. She was cooking dinner when I arrived.
जब म आइपुगें, उनी खाना पकाउँदै थिइन्। (Jab ma aipugem, uni khana pakaudai thiin.)

3. They were playing football all afternoon.
उनीहरू दिउँसोभर फुटबल खेलिरहेका थिए। (Uniharu diusobhar football khelirheka thie.)

4. He was reading a book while she was watching TV.
उनी किताब पढ्दै थिए जबकि उनी टिभी हेर्दै थिइन्। (Uni kitab padhdai thie jabaki uni TV herdai thiin.)

5. I was working in the garden from 8 to 11 AM.
म बिहान ८ देखि ११ बजेसम्म बगैंचामा काम गरिरहेको थिएँ। (Ma bihan 8 dekhi 11 baje-samma bagainchama kam garirheko thiyem.)

6. We were waiting for the bus when it started to rain.
जब पानी पर्न थाल्यो, हामी बसको पर्खाइ गरिरहेका थियौं। (Jab pani parna thalyo, hami bas ko parkhai garirheka thiyau.)

7. She was constantly calling me at that time.
उनी त्यो समयमा मलाई लगातार फोन गरिरहेकी थिइन्। (Uni tyo samayama malai lagatar phone garirheki thiin.)

8. He was running very fast when he fell.
जब उनी लडे, उनी धेरै छिटो दौडिरहेका थिए। (Jab uni lade, uni dherai chhito daudirheka thie.)

9. While I was walking to school, I met my friend.
जब म स्कुल हिँडिरहेको थिएँ, मैले मेरो साथीलाई भेटें। (Jab ma school hidirheko thiyem, maile mero sathilai bhetem.)

10. What were you doing at 6 AM yesterday?
तपाईं हिजो बिहान ६ बजे के गरिरहनुभएको थियो? (Tapai hijo bihan 6 baje ke garirahanubhaeko thiyo?)

PART 3: PAST PERFECT TENSE

Uses:

1. An action completed BEFORE another past action (The "past of the past")
(I had eaten before he arrived.)

2. Cause and effect in the past
(She was tired because she had worked all day.)

3. Third conditional
(If I had known, I would have helped.)

4. Reported speech
(He said he had finished.)

5. With "already," "just," "never"
(I had just left when it started raining.)

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Time Adverbs for Past Perfect:

• Before (पहिले / भन्दा अघि)
• After (पछि)
• By the time (जबसम्म / हुँदा-हुँदै)
• Already (पहिल्यै / सकिसकेको)
• Just (भर्खरै)
• Never / Ever (कहिल्यै)
• Until (सम्म)
• For / Since (with duration before another past event)

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10 Examples of Past Perfect

1. I had already eaten lunch before he arrived.
मैले उनी आउनुभन्दा पहिले नै खाना खाइसकेको थिएँ। (Maile uni aaunubhanda pahile nai khana khaisakeko thiyem.)

2. She had left the house by the time I woke up.
जबसम्म म उठें, उनी घरबाट गइसकेकी थिइन्। (Jabasamma ma uthem, uni ghar-bata gaisakeki thiin.)

3. They had finished the project before the deadline.
उनीहरूले समय सीमा भन्दा अघि नै प्रोजेक्ट सकेका थिए। (Uniharule samaya sima bhanda aghi nai project sakeka thie.)

4. I had never seen such a beautiful place before.
मैले यस्तो सुन्दर ठाउँ पहिले कहिल्यै देखेको थिइनँ। (Maile yasto sundar thau pahile kahilyai dekheko thiina.)

5. She was tired because she had walked 10 kilometers.
उनी थाकेकी थिइन् किनभने उनी १० किलोमिटर हिँडिसकेकी थिइन्। (Uni thakeki thiin kinabhane uni 10 kilometer hidisakeki thiin.)

6. He had just left the office when the boss called.
जब बाउले फोन गरे, उनी भर्खरै अफिसबाट निस्किसकेका थिए। (Jab baulaile phone gare, uni bharkharai office-bata niskisakeka thie.)

7. We had already bought the tickets before we went to the cinema.
हामी सिनेमा जानुभन्दा अघि नै टिकट किनिसकेका थियौं। (Hami cinema janubhanda aghi nai ticket kinisakeka thiyau.)

8. After I had finished my homework, I watched TV.
मैले गृहकार्य सकेपछि, मैले टिभी हेरें। (Maile grihakarya sake-pachhi, maile TV herem.)

9. By the time we reached the station, the train had already left.
जबसम्म हामी स्टेसन पुग्यौं, रेल पहिल्यै छुटिसकेको थियो। (Jabasamma hami station pugyau, rail pahilyai chhutisakeko thiyo.)

10. Had you ever visited that place before you moved here?
तपाईं यहाँ सर्नुभन्दा अघि त्यो ठाउँमा कहिल्यै जानुभएको थियो? (Tapai yaha sarnubhanda aghi tyo thau-ma kahilyai janubhaeko thiyo?)

PART 4: PAST PERFECT CONTINUOUS TENSE

Uses:

1. An ongoing action that happened BEFORE another past action (Emphasizes duration)
(I had been waiting for an hour when she finally arrived.)

2. Cause and effect in the past
(He was exhausted because he had been running.)

3. Duration before a specific past event
(She had been living there for 10 years before she moved.)

4. Temporary actions before another past action
(I had been feeling sick for days before I saw a doctor.)

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Time Adverbs for Past Perfect Continuous:

• For (duration – for 2 hours, for 5 years – देखि / सम्म)
• Since (starting point – since 2010, since morning – देखि)
• Before (अघि / भन्दा पहिले)
• When (जब – interruption)
• By the time (जबसम्म)
• How long (कति समय – for questions)
• All day / all week (दिनभर / हप्ताभर)

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10 Examples of Past Perfect Continuous

1. I had been waiting for the bus for 30 minutes when it finally arrived.
जब बस अन्ततः आयो, म ३० मिनेटदेखि बसको पर्खाइ गरिरहेको थिएँ। (Jab bas antatah aayo, ma 30 minute-dekhi bas ko parkhai garirheko thiyem.)

2. She had been studying Nepali for 2 years before she went to Nepal.
उनी नेपाल जानुभन्दा पहिले २ वर्षदेखि नेपाली पढिरहेकी थिइन्। (Uni Nepal janubhanda pahile 2 barsha-dekhi Nepali padhirheki thiin.)

3. They had been playing cricket since morning when it started to rain.
जब पानी पर्न थाल्यो, उनीहरू बिहानदेखि क्रिकेट खेलिरहेका थिए। (Jab pani parna thalyo, uniharu bihan-dekhi cricket khelirheka thie.)

4. I was tired because I had been working all day.
म थाकेको थिएँ किनभने म दिनभर काम गरिरहेको थिएँ। (Ma thakeko thiyem kinabhane ma dinbhar kam garirheko thiyem.)

5. He had been driving for 5 hours straight when he stopped for a break.
जब उनी ब्रेकको लागि रोकिए, उनी लगातार ५ घण्टादेखि गाडी चलाइरहेका थिए। (Jab uni break ko lagi rokie, uni lagatar 5 ghanta-dekhi gadi chalairheka thie.)

6. She had been feeling sick for several days before she saw the doctor.
उनी डाक्टरलाई देखाउनुभन्दा पहिले धेरै दिनदेखि बिरामी महसुस गरिरहेकी थिइन्। (Uni doctorlai dekhaunubhanda pahile dherai din-dekhi birami mahasus garirheki thiin.)

7. We had been living in that house since 2015 before we moved.
हामी सर्नुभन्दा पहिले २०१५ देखि त्यो घरमा बस्दै थियौं। (Hami sarnubhanda pahile 2015 dekhi tyo gharma basdai thiyau.)

8. How long had you been waiting before the bus came?
बस आउनुभन्दा पहिले तपाईं कति बेरदेखि पर्खिरहनुभएको थियो? (Bas aaunubhanda pahile tapai kati ber-dekhi parkhirahanubhaeko thiyo?)

9. He was sweating because he had been running in the sun.
उनी पसिनाले भिजेका थिए किनभने उनी घाममा दौडिरहेका थिए। (Uni pasinale bhijeka thie kinabhane uni gham-ma daudirheka thie.)

10. By the time the teacher arrived, the students had been making noise for 10 minutes.
जबसम्म शिक्षक आइपुगे, विद्यार्थीहरू १० मिनेटदेखि गडबड गरिरहेका थिए। (Jabasamma shikshak aipuge, bidyarthiharu 10 minute-dekhi gadbad garirheka thie.)

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COMPARISON TABLE: All 4 Past Tenses with Time Adverbs

Tense	Form	Use	Time Adverbs	Nepali Example
Past Simple	V² (ate, went)	Completed action	yesterday, last, ago, in 2020, when	मैले खाएँ। (I ate.)
Past Continuous	was/were + V-ing	Action in progress	at 5 PM, while, when, all morning	म खाँदै थिएँ। (I was eating.)
Past Perfect	had + V³ (had eaten)	Completed before another past	already, just, before, by the time, after	मैले खाइसकेको थिएँ। (I had eaten.)
Past Perfect Continuous	had been + V-ing	Ongoing before another past	for, since, before, by the time, how long	म खाँदै थिएँ (duration)। (I had been eating.)

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FINAL STRATEGY TIPS

Tense	Nepali Clue (Endings)	When to use?
Past Simple	-ें, -यो, -इन्, -ए, -यौं	"भयो / सकियो" – Just a plain past fact.
Past Continuous	-दै थियो / -दै थिइन्	"भइरहेको थियो" – Emphasizes the ongoing nature.
Past Perfect	-सकेको थियो / -ेको थियो	"पहिले नै भइसकेको थियो" – Something was ALREADY done before something else.
Past Perfect Continuous	-दै थियो + time duration	"कति समयदेखि भइरहेको थियो" – Focus on HOW LONG something was happening before another event.