Time Phrases Used with the Past Tense

Let’s look at a few more examples on how we might use the simple past tense in everyday conversations.

Note: Time phrases that tell us when the event/action happened are shown in purple below.

Example 1

I lived in Tsim Sha Tsui for 3 years.

我以前喺尖沙咀住過三年。（但無講邊三年）

Example 2

During Thomas Edison’s lifetime, he held many patents.

（科學家）愛迪生在他的一生中擁有多項發明專利。

Example 3

When I was 5 years old, I lived with my grandmother.

我五歲時同我婆婆一齊住。

Example 4 

I knew.

我已經知道了。（但無講幾時知道嘅）

 Example 5

The book was on the table.

本書頭先喺枱面。（但無講頭先幾耐之前）