1. 在确定的过去时间里所发生的动作或存在的状态。时间状语有：yesterday, last week, an hour ago, the other day, in 1980 等。

2. 表示在过去一段时间内，经常性或习惯性的动作。

Eg. 1) When I was a child, I often played football in the street.

     当我还是个孩子的时候，我经常在街上踢足球。

2) He always went to work by bus.

他过去常常坐公交去上班。

3. 用过去时表示现在，表示语气委婉礼貌。

(1) 动词want, hope, wonder, think, intend 等。

Eg. 1) Did you want anything else?

     你还需要什么吗？

   2) I wondered if you could help me.

     我想知道你是否可以帮助我。

(2) 情态动词 could, would，

Eg. 1) Could you lend me your bike?

     可以把你的自行车借给我吗？

4. 用在条件句中表示与现在或将来事实不符的虚拟语气。

Eg. 1) If I were a bird, I would fly to Beijing.  

如果我是一只小鸟，我愿意飞去北京。

   2) If he were here now, we could turn to him for help.

     如果你刚才在这里，我们可以向他求救。

注意下列句型：

◎ It is time sb. did sth. “时间已迟了；早该……了”，

Eg. It is time you went to bed.　你该睡觉了。

◎ would (had) rather sb. did sth. “宁愿某人做某事”

Eg.  I'd rather you came tomorrow.  我宁愿你明天来。