與in the past連用的時態

介詞短語 in the past 在句中用時間狀語時，既可以連用一般過去時，也可以連和現在完成時，兩者的區別是：用一般過去時，客觀地敘述過去的情況；用現在完成時，強調持續到現在的狀態或對現在影響。

一、與一般過去時連用

In the past, people had fewer expectations. 過去，人們的希求要少一些。

The capital of England is London. In the past it was Winchester. 英國現在的首都是倫敦，過去是溫切斯特。

In the past he had to read by candlelight. 過去他只得在燭光下攻讀。

In the past, people thought it was their religious duty to give alms to the poor. 過去，人們認為給窮人施舍是他們的宗教義務。

In the past, bear-baiting was a common form of entertainment in Britain. 過去，縱狗逗熊是英國人的一種常見娛樂方式。

In the past, a woman needed to be chaste to make a good marriage. 過去，女子要想有個好的婚姻就得守貞潔。

In the past, navigation depended on a knowledge of the positions of the stars. 過去，航行依靠人們對星星位置知識的了解。

In the past, navigation depended largely on the positions of the stars. 過去，航行在很大程度上依靠星星的位置。

Today, people are much more concerned about their health than they were in the past. 現在人們比過去更關注自己的健康。

二、與現在完成時連用

The two sides will have to be better and tougher than either has beenin the past. 雙方都必須比過去更好一些、更強硬一些。

They have been so feather-bedded in the past that they can’t cope with hardship now. 他們一直嬌生慣養，所以現在過不了苦日子。

In the past this process of transition has often proved difficult. 過去這種過渡過程常證明是困難的。

In the past they’ve tended to turn a deaf ear to such requests. 過去他們對這樣的請求從來都是置若罔聞的。

We have achieved much in the past, and we may hope to achieve even more in the future. 過去我們已取得很大成績，將來我們希望取得更大的成績。