Past Tense and Time Expressions

When using the Past Tense, it’s common to include a time expression to specify when the action took place.

Time expressions used with Past Tense:

Examples:

There were 20 students in the class last year.

There weren’t 20 students in the class last year.

Were there 20 students in the class last year?

– Yes, there were.
– No, there weren’t.

I was in İzmir yesterday.

I wasn’t in İzmir yesterday.

Were you in İzmir yesterday?

– Yes, I was.
– No, I wasn’t.

She was ill three days ago.

She wasn’t ill three days ago.

Was she ill three days ago?

– Yes, she was.
– No, she wasn’t.

They were in Aydın last summer.

They weren’t in Aydın last summer.

Were they in Aydın last summer?

– Yes, they were.
– No, they weren’t.

There was a concert in İstanbul last night.

There wasn’t a concert in İstanbul last night.

Was there a concert in İstanbul last night?

– Yes, there was.
– No, there wasn’t.

Differences Between Past and Present Tense:

Present (Now) vs. Past (Before)

Today is Saturday. Yesterday was Friday.

This month is November. Last month was October.

I am a teacher now. I was a student five years ago.

They are in Amasya this year. They were in Bursa last year.

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