Mixed Past Verbs
Verb Chart
Use this chart to review the tense forms, sample sentences, and the grammar structure. On phones, the chart shows as easy “cards”. On larger screens, it becomes a normal table.
Past continuous + past simple
Bill Gates sample sentence
Bill Gates was working late at Microsoft when he discovered a major software bug.
Structure
was/were + verb ing → interrupted by past simple
Used to (past habit/state)
Bill Gates sample sentence
Computers used to be extremely expensive before Bill Gates helped make them mainstream.
Structure
used to + base verb
Used to (past requirement)
Bill Gates sample sentence
You used to have to buy physical software boxes before Gates pushed digital distribution.
Structure
used to + base verb
Past simple
Bill Gates sample sentence
In 1975 Bill Gates founded Microsoft with Paul Allen.
Structure
past simple (verb ed / irregular form)
Present perfect + past simple
Bill Gates sample sentence
It’s been decades since Bill Gates stepped down as Microsoft’s CEO.
Structure
has/have + past participle + past simple
Past simple (two actions)
Bill Gates sample sentence
Bill Gates read the report and then donated millions to the project.
Structure
past simple + past simple
Present continuous + present simple
Bill Gates sample sentence
These days Bill Gates is focusing on global health, and his foundation is one of the largest in the world.
Structure
am/is/are + verb ing + present simple
Past perfect
Bill Gates sample sentence
Before Microsoft became famous, Bill Gates had already written several computer programs.
Structure
had + past participle
| Tense / form | Bill Gates sample sentence | Structure |
|---|---|---|
| Past continuous + past simple | Bill Gates was working late at Microsoft when he discovered a major software bug. | was/were + verb ing → interrupted by past simple |
| Used to (past habit/state) | Computers used to be extremely expensive before Bill Gates helped make them mainstream. | used to + base verb |
| Used to (past requirement) | You used to have to buy physical software boxes before Gates pushed digital distribution. | used to + base verb |
| Past simple | In 1975 Bill Gates founded Microsoft with Paul Allen. | past simple (verb ed / irregular form) |
| Present perfect + past simple | It’s been decades since Bill Gates stepped down as Microsoft’s CEO. | has/have + past participle + past simple |
| Past simple (two actions) | Bill Gates read the report and then donated millions to the project. | past simple + past simple |
| Present continuous + present simple | These days Bill Gates is focusing on global health, and his foundation is one of the largest in the world. | am/is/are + verb ing + present simple |
| Past perfect | Before Microsoft became famous, Bill Gates had already written several computer programs. | had + past participle |