過去簡單式與過去進行式
Past simple and past continuous
過去簡單式敘述在過去某個明確時間已完成的事;過去進行式描述過去某一時刻正在進行的事;並介紹 used to、would、be used to、get used to。
練習 60 題句型結構
- 規則動詞加 -ed:
complete → completed、plan → planned、apply → applied、stay → stayed。 - 不規則動詞必須背第二欄(V2):
buy → bought、pay → paid、meet → met、hold → held、choose → chose、begin → began、cost → cost、set → set。 To be:I/he/she/it 及單數名詞用 was;you/we/they 及複數名詞用 were。did/didn't之後動詞回到原形:Did you receive ...?(不是received)。
| 形式 | 過去簡單式 | 過去進行式 |
|---|---|---|
| 肯定句 | S + V2/ed: They shipped the order. | S + was/were + V-ing: They were shipping the order. |
| 否定句 | S + did not (didn't) + V: They didn't ship it. | S + was/were + not + V-ing: They weren't shipping it. |
| 疑問句 | Did + S + V?: Did they ship it? | Was/Were + S + V-ing?: Were they shipping it? |
多益常見的不規則動詞
多益不會要你背整張動詞表,但錯誤選項常常是拼錯的 V2/V3,或用錯欄位的形式。下列動詞在職場情境中經常出現。
- find / found 陷阱:
find – found – found(找到)與found – founded – founded(創立)。The company was founded in 1998用 founded,不用 found。 - fall / fell 陷阱:
fell是 fall(下降)的 V2,而fell – felled – felled是另一個動詞(砍伐樹木)。談銷售額、價格時:Prices fell sharply、Prices have fallen。 - V1 = V2 = V3 的動詞(cost, cut, put, set, let, forecast, broadcast)要靠主詞和時間點判斷:
The repair cost $200 last month(過去式,沒有 -s)不同於The repair costs $200(現在式)。
| V1 | V2(過去式) | V3(過去分詞) | 意思 |
|---|---|---|---|
| arise | arose | arisen | 產生、出現 |
| bring | brought | brought | 帶來 |
| build | built | built | 建造 |
| choose | chose | chosen | 選擇 |
| deal (with) | dealt | dealt | 處理 |
| fall | fell | fallen | 下降、掉落 |
| forecast | forecast | forecast | 預測 |
| hold | held | held | 舉行(會議、活動) |
| lead | led | led | 帶領、領導 |
| oversee | oversaw | overseen | 監督 |
| rise | rose | risen | 上升(自行上升) |
| seek | sought | sought | 尋求 |
| spend | spent | spent | 花費 |
| undergo | underwent | undergone | 經歷(維修、檢查) |
| withdraw | withdrew | withdrawn | 撤回、提領(款項、申請) |
| write | wrote | written | 寫 |
- Several problems arose during the installation of the new software.安裝新軟體的過程中出現了幾個問題。
- The factory underwent a full safety inspection last spring.這間工廠去年春天接受了一次全面的安全檢查。
過去簡單式的用法
- 在過去某個明確時間已完成的動作。
- 過去接連發生的一連串動作。
- 在一段已結束的期間內的習慣或狀態:
He worked in Seoul for ten years(現在已不在那裡工作)。
- We received your payment two days ago.我們兩天前收到了您的付款。
- The CEO arrived, greeted the guests, and opened the conference.執行長抵達後向來賓致意,並為會議揭幕。
- Ms. Garcia led the marketing department from 2018 to 2022.Garcia 女士從 2018 年到 2022 年領導行銷部門。
過去簡單式的時間點:ago、before、last、previously
過去簡單式需要一個已經結束的時間點,可能在句中明說,也可能從上下文就很清楚。有些時間詞看起來很像,搭配的時態卻不同。
- ago 一定放在一段時間的後面(
two years ago),而且不與現在完成式連用。 - 區分
last month(過去簡單式)與over the last month(現在完成式):只多了一個 the,時態就不同。 - recently 可搭配過去簡單式(
The company recently opened a new branch)也可搭配現在完成式;選項中兩種形式都有時,請找句中其他的時間線索。
| 單字、片語 | 意思與時態 | 例句 |
|---|---|---|
| 一段時間 + ago | (從現在算起)…之前 → 過去簡單式 | The order arrived three days ago. |
| 一段時間 + before + 過去時間點 | 在該時間點之前 → 過去完成式或過去簡單式 | She had resigned two weeks before the merger. |
| last week/month/year | 上週/上個月/去年(已結束)→ 過去簡單式 | We launched the app last month. |
| the last / the past + 一段時間 | 過去這…以來(延續到現在)→ 現在完成式 | Costs have risen over the last two months. |
| previously, formerly, once | 以前、曾經 → 過去簡單式 | Mr. Ito previously worked for a law firm. |
| earlier today / this morning | 稍早、已過去 → 過去簡單式 | I spoke with the client earlier this morning. |
| in + 已過去的年份/月份 | 明確的時間點 → 過去簡單式 | The branch opened in 2019. |
| at that time, back then | 當時 → 過去簡單式或過去進行式 | At that time, the firm was still small. |
- Ms. Ruiz joined the company five years ago as a junior accountant.Ruiz 小姐五年前以初級會計師的職位進入公司。
- The building previously served as a textile factory.這棟建築以前曾是一間紡織廠。
過去進行式的用法;when 與 while
S + was/were + V-ing + when + S + V2/edWhile + S + was/were + V-ing, S + V2/ed (或 was/were + V-ing)- 過去某一時刻正在進行的動作:
At 10 A.M. yesterday, I was interviewing a candidate. - 正在進行的動作被另一個短暫的動作打斷:較長的動作用過去進行式,插入的動作用過去簡單式。
- 兩個動作同時進行:
while + 過去進行式,另一個子句通常也用進行式。 - 描述故事的背景:
It was raining and everyone was waiting for the bus. - 狀態動詞(know, own, need……)仍然不用進行式。
- The fire alarm went off while Mr. Diaz was giving his presentation.Diaz 先生正在簡報時,火災警報響了。
- I was checking the inventory when the delivery truck arrived.我正在盤點庫存時,送貨卡車到了。
- While the technicians were installing the software, the staff were attending a training session.技術人員安裝軟體的同時,員工正在參加訓練課程。
禮貌書信與未完成計畫中的過去進行式
在工作電子郵件中,過去進行式不只用來敘事。它也能讓請求、問句顯得更委婉、更有禮貌,並表達原本打算、後來不得不改變的計畫。
I was wondering if + S + could/would + V:非常有禮貌的請求句型,常見於 Part 6 和 Part 7:I was wondering if you could send me the updated price list.I was hoping (that) .../We were hoping to + V:委婉地表達希望:We were hoping to schedule a call this week.We were thinking of + V-ing:正打算做某事(尚未確定):We were thinking of moving the launch to May.was/were planning to + V:原本打算做但計畫有變,常搭配 but:I was planning to call you, but the meeting ran late.- 這些句型雖用過去式,談的卻是現在:寫信者在寫信當下仍在詢問或仍有這個希望。
- I was wondering if you could join us for the project review on Friday.想請問您週五是否能和我們一起參加專案檢討會。
- We were planning to hold the event outdoors, but the forecast changed.我們原本打算在戶外舉辦活動,但天氣預報有了變化。
Used to、would、be used to、get used to
- 表示狀態時(be, have, own, know……)只能用 used to:
The building used to be a warehouse(不用would be)。 - 在
be/get used to中,to 是介系詞,所以後面接 V-ing 或名詞。 - 注意與被動的
be used to + V(= 被用來)區分:This room is used to store files.
| 結構 | 意思 | 例句 |
|---|---|---|
used to + V | 過去的習慣或狀態,現在已不再如此 | We used to print every report. |
didn't use to + V | used to 的否定(did 之後不加 -d) | The office didn't use to open on Saturdays. |
would + V | 過去重複發生的動作(不用於狀態) | Every Friday, the team would have lunch together. |
be used to + V-ing/N | 已經習慣某事 | She is used to working late. |
get used to + V-ing/N | 逐漸習慣、變得習慣 | You will soon get used to the new system. |
- Employees used to submit expense reports on paper.員工以前都用紙本提交費用報告。
- Our drivers are used to delivering in heavy traffic.我們的司機已經習慣在車流壅塞時送貨。
多益解題技巧
- Part 5 的過去簡單式線索:yesterday, last week/month/year, ago, in 2023, earlier this morning, previously, recently(有時),或
when + 過去式的子句。有明確的過去時間點就刪去has/have + V3的選項。 - 題目常考容易混淆的不規則動詞:
rise – rose – risen(自行上升)不同於raise – raised – raised(提高、抬起某物);lie – lay – lain(躺)不同於lay – laid – laid(放置);hold – held、lead – led、seek – sought、send – sent。 - While 通常搭配過去進行式(
while she was presenting),when 通常搭配表示插入動作的過去簡單式(when the power went out)。 - 依空格後的詞形判斷:
used to + 原形動詞(過去的習慣)與be/get used to + V-ing(習慣於)。看到is used to/are used to/get used to,答案就是 V-ing 或名詞。
常見錯誤
錯誤: The company has hired ten new staff last month.
正確: The company hired ten new staff last month.
Last month 是已結束的過去時間點,所以用過去簡單式。
錯誤: Did you sent the invoice?
正確: Did you send the invoice?
did 之後動詞用原形。
錯誤: Sales raised by 12 percent last quarter.
正確: Sales rose by 12 percent last quarter.
Rise(自行上升,不及物動詞):rise – rose – risen;raise 需要受詞。
錯誤: I am used to work on weekends.
正確: I am used to working on weekends.
Be used to + V-ing(to 是介系詞)。
錯誤: When the client called, I wrote an email, so I missed it.
正確: When the client called, I was writing an email, so I missed it.
正在進行而被打斷的動作用過去進行式。
練習題(附解答)
1.Three years ago, Brightwell Foods ------- its first factory outside Canada.
- (A) opened
- (B) opens
- (C) has opened
- (D) was opened
查看解答與解析
答案: (A) opened
ago 是過去簡單式的標記 →
opened。has opened不與 ago 搭配,was opened是被動式,但句中有受詞its first factory。2.Ms. Chen ------- her presentation to the investors when the projector suddenly stopped working.
- (A) gives
- (B) has given
- (C) was giving
- (D) is giving
查看解答與解析
答案: (C) was giving
正在進行的動作被另一個動作打斷(when + 過去簡單式
stopped)→ 過去進行式was giving。其餘選項都是現在式。3.While the electricians ------- the new lighting in the lobby, visitors used the side entrance.
- (A) was installing
- (B) were installing
- (C) installs
- (D) are installing
查看解答與解析
答案: (B) were installing
While + 過去持續的動作(主要子句為
used)→ 過去進行式;主詞是複數,所以用were installing。was installing主詞動詞不一致,installs和are installing是現在式。4.Shipping costs ------- by nearly 8 percent last quarter because of higher fuel prices.
- (A) raised
- (B) risen
- (C) rose
- (D) rises
查看解答與解析
答案: (C) rose
成本是自己上升,沒有受詞 → 不及物動詞 rise;有 last quarter,所以用過去式
rose。raised需要受詞,risen需要助動詞,rises是現在式。5.Last year, the firm ------- outside investors to fund its expansion into Southeast Asia.
- (A) seeks
- (B) seeking
- (C) sought
- (D) has sought
查看解答與解析
答案: (C) sought
Last year → 過去簡單式;seek 是不規則動詞,過去式為
sought。seeks是現在式,seeking缺少助動詞,has sought不能與已結束的過去時間點連用。6.Before the new expense portal launched, employees ------- submit their travel receipts on paper forms.
- (A) use to
- (B) using to
- (C) were used
- (D) used to
查看解答與解析
答案: (D) used to
過去的習慣現在已不存在(Before the new expense portal launched)→
used to+ 原形動詞。use to在肯定句中少了 -d,using to不是正確的句型,were used submit文法錯誤。7.After ten years on the night shift, Ms. Okoro is used to ------- while most people are asleep.
- (A) working
- (B) work
- (C) worked
- (D) works
查看解答與解析
答案: (A) working
be used to(= 習慣於)中的 to 是介系詞,後面要接 V-ing:
working。work、worked、works都不能放在介系詞 to 後面。8.In the company's early years, the founders ------- gather the whole staff in the cafeteria every Friday to share updates.
- (A) use to
- (B) were using
- (C) using to
- (D) would
查看解答與解析
答案: (D) would
過去反覆發生的動作(In the company's early years ... every Friday)→
would+ 原形動詞。use to少了 -d,were using gather句型錯誤,using to缺少主要動詞。9.The Riverside branch ------- open on Saturdays, but it began offering weekend hours in May.
- (A) didn't used
- (B) didn't use to
- (C) doesn't use to
- (D) not used to
查看解答與解析
答案: (B) didn't use to
過去的狀態現在已經改變(but it began offering weekend hours)→ used to 的否定是
didn't use to+ V。didn't used形式錯誤且少了 to,doesn't use to不存在,not used to缺少助動詞。10.------- the Main Street branch use to offer evening hours before the staffing cuts?
- (A) Was
- (B) Does
- (C) Has
- (D) Did
查看解答與解析
答案: (D) Did
used to 的疑問句用 Did + S + use to + V:
Did。Was和Has不能搭配 use to;Does錯在 used to 只用於過去。
練習題
60 題 Part 5 題型,一次一題,每題作答後立即附上解析。
常見問題
過去簡單式和過去進行式有什麼不同?
過去簡單式(past simple)敘述在過去某個時間點已經發生並結束的事:We signed the contract on Monday。過去進行式(past continuous)描述當時正在進行的事,並不談它是否結束:At 10 A.M., we were signing the contract。兩件事同時發生時,持續較久的用過去進行式,突然插入的短暫動作用過去簡單式。
過去進行式要搭配 when 還是 while?
While 強調一段時間,因此常搭配過去進行式:While I was preparing the slides, the client called。When 則常搭配過去簡單式的短暫動作:I was preparing the slides when the client called。這是傾向而非硬性規則,但在 Part 5 中,緊接在 while + 主詞 之後的動詞幾乎都是 was/were + V-ing。
規則動詞加 -ed 的方法是什麼?
大多數動詞加 -ed(order → ordered);字尾是 e 的動詞只加 -d(complete → completed)。子音 + y 改成 -ied(apply → applied),母音 + y 則不變(stay → stayed)。單音節且以「子音–母音–子音」結尾的動詞要重複最後一個子音(plan → planned、stop → stopped)。hold, lead, seek 等不規則動詞則必須背起來。
Used to、be used to 和 get used to 有什麼不同?
used to + V 表示以前有、現在已沒有的習慣或狀態:We used to print every report。be used to + V-ing/N 表示已經習慣某事:She is used to working late。get used to + V-ing/N 表示逐漸習慣:You will get used to the new system。後兩個結構中的 to 是介系詞,所以後面接 V-ing 或名詞。
可以用 would 代替 used to 嗎?
只有在談過去重複的動作時可以:Every Friday, the team would have lunch together。如果是狀態(be, have, own, know, live...)就只能用 used to:The building used to be a warehouse,不說 would be a warehouse。此外 would 需要明確的過去語境,而 used to 本身就帶有「以前」的意思。
在多益中怎麼區分過去簡單式和現在完成式?
找時間點。如果有 ago, yesterday, last month, in 2022, earlier this morning 這類已結束的時間點,就選過去簡單式。如果有 since, for the past, so far, already, yet,或沒有提到時間點而是強調現在的結果,就選現在完成式。以 When 開頭的問句一律用過去簡單式:When did the shipment arrive?