English grammar
Telling a story: past simple, past continuous, present perfect
Tell someone about a trip, mixing three past forms.
From the scene How was the trip?
In short
Tell a trip story with the past simple for events, was + -ing for background, and the present perfect up to now.
Your turn
Which one goes with what happened: past simple?
Options: we went / she danced · it's been · it was forty degrees
Show answer
what happened: past simple → we went / she danced
How it works
A trip story mixes tenses.
Good to know
The past simple for what happened (we went, she danced), the past continuous for the background (while she was dancing), and the present perfect for up to now (it's been, this week I've eaten).
Good to know
The present perfect never goes with a finished time: I went to Seville last week, not "I have been to Seville last week".
up to now: present perfect it's been
Nuria
It's been the best trip of my life.
Ha sido el mejor viaje de mi vida.
Your turn
What fills the gap?
(blank) the best trip of my life.
Options: It was forty degrees · It's been · She danced
Show answer
Nuria
It's been the best trip of my life.
Ha sido el mejor viaje de mi vida.
what happened: past simple we went / she danced
Nuria
We went to a tablao. Doña Elena got up and danced with the professionals.
Fuimos a un tablao. Doña Elena se levantó y bailó con los profesionales.
Your turn
What fills the gap?
(blank) to a tablao. Doña Elena got up and danced with the professionals.
Options: It was forty degrees · We went · It's been
Show answer
Nuria
We went to a tablao. Doña Elena got up and danced with the professionals.
Fuimos a un tablao. Doña Elena se levantó y bailó con los profesionales.
describing then: was it was forty degrees
Nuria
When we got to Seville, it was forty degrees.
Cuando llegamos a Sevilla, hacía cuarenta grados.
Your turn
What fills the gap?
When we got to Seville, (blank).
Options: she danced · it was forty degrees · it's been
Show answer
Nuria
When we got to Seville, it was forty degrees.
Cuando llegamos a Sevilla, hacía cuarenta grados.
the background: was + -ing while she was dancing
Nuria
Believe it. While she was dancing, everyone was clapping.
Créelo. Mientras ella bailaba, todo el mundo daba palmas.
Your turn
What fills the gap?
Believe it. (blank), everyone was clapping.
Options: While she was dancing · It's been · She danced
Show answer
Nuria
Believe it. While she was dancing, everyone was clapping.
Créelo. Mientras ella bailaba, todo el mundo daba palmas.
an unfinished time: this week this week I've eaten
Nuria
Loads. This week I've eaten like Javi.
Muchísimo. Esta semana he comido como Javi.
Your turn
What fills the gap?
Loads. (blank) like Javi.
Options: She danced · This week I've eaten · It's been
Show answer
Nuria
Loads. This week I've eaten like Javi.
Muchísimo. Esta semana he comido como Javi.
Common mistake
Not It's being or It has be here. The trip is ending: the whole time up to now.
It's been the best trip of my life.
Ha sido el mejor viaje de mi vida.
Practise it in the story
Meet this rule inside a short animated scene. Answer as it plays, then say the lines yourself.
Practise free in the appSee all forms
| up to now: present perfect | it's been |
|---|---|
| what happened: past simple | we went / she danced |
| describing then: was | it was forty degrees |
| the background: was + -ing | while she was dancing |
| an unfinished time: this week | this week I've eaten |
More lines from the story
- TomásYou have to tell Don Ramón too.Tienes que contárselo a Don Ramón también.