What is the difference between perfect and imperfect past tense?

The perfect past tense describes an action that was completed in the past, while the imperfect past tense describes an action that was ongoing in the past.

Here's a breakdown of the differences:

Perfect Past Tense

• Use: To describe an action that was completed at a specific point in the past.
• Formation: had + past participle of the verb
• Example: I had eaten breakfast before I left for work. (The action of eating breakfast was completed before leaving for work.)

Imperfect Past Tense

• Use: To describe an action that was ongoing in the past.
• Formation: was/were + present participle of the verb (-ing form)
• Example: I was walking to work when I saw my friend. (The action of walking was ongoing when the speaker saw their friend.)

Here's a table summarizing the differences:

Understanding the difference between the perfect and imperfect past tenses is essential for accurately describing past events and actions.