8.12 Past Tense (Preterite)
Past tense verbs are usually used to describe actions that occurred at a specific time in the past or habitual actions in the past. However, past tense can also express current feelings or opinions, hypothetical statements, and wishes.
Use of Past Tense |
Examples |
| Actions which occurred at a specific time in the past. | Jeg studerte i Norge i 2012. (I studied in Norway in 2012.) |
| Repeated actions in the past | Jeg reiste til Norge hver sommer da jeg var liten. (I went to Norway every summer when I was little.) |
| Comments on current feelings or opinions | Dette var deilig mat! / Det var en god idé! (This is delicious food!/That is a good idea!) |
| Hypothetical statements | Hvis jeg var deg, ville jeg dra hjem. (If I were you, I would go home.) |
| Strong wishes | Hvis jeg vant lotteriet, ville jeg reise mye. (If I won the lottery, I would travel a lot.) |