(1)一般過(guò)去時(shí)表示過(guò)去發(fā)生的動(dòng)作或存在的狀態(tài),而過(guò)去完成時(shí)表示在過(guò)去某一動(dòng)作發(fā)生在另一動(dòng)作之前。

試比較:
The class had already begun when I came to school. 我來(lái)到學(xué)校時(shí),已經(jīng)開(kāi)始上課。
He had gone home before I got to his office. 我到他辦公室以前,他已回家了。

(2)有after或before引導(dǎo)的時(shí)間狀語(yǔ)從句的復(fù)合句中,由于從句動(dòng)作和主句動(dòng)作發(fā)生的先后順序已經(jīng)非常明確,所以可以用一般過(guò)去時(shí)代替過(guò)去完成時(shí):?

He called on me soon after he had returned. 他回來(lái)不久便拜訪我。也可以說(shuō):He called on me soon after he returned.?
The train had left before I got to the station. 我到車站時(shí),火車已經(jīng)開(kāi)走了。也可以說(shuō):The train left before I got to the station。?

(3)描述一連串的過(guò)去動(dòng)作,無(wú)需用過(guò)去完成時(shí),例如:?
He stood up, took his bag, put on his hat, left the room and went away. 他站起來(lái),拿起書(shū)包,戴上帽子,離開(kāi)房間走了。?
She looked around but saw nothing. 她環(huán)顧四周,但是什么也沒(méi)有看見(jiàn)。?
He came in and said hello to everyone. 他進(jìn)來(lái)向每一個(gè)人問(wèn)好。?

由于漢語(yǔ)與英語(yǔ)表達(dá)時(shí)態(tài)的方式不同,中國(guó)人在學(xué)習(xí)和應(yīng)用英語(yǔ)時(shí)經(jīng)常犯時(shí)態(tài)錯(cuò)誤,尤其是在寫信、寫電子郵件、寫記敘文時(shí)。常見(jiàn)的時(shí)態(tài)錯(cuò)誤類型有:時(shí)態(tài)不對(duì)應(yīng);通篇須用幾種時(shí)態(tài)時(shí)用一種時(shí)態(tài);時(shí)態(tài)混用或串用(如在描寫過(guò)去的經(jīng)歷時(shí),有時(shí)用現(xiàn)在時(shí));不用進(jìn)行時(shí)。我們?nèi)绻谌粘?陬^交際中犯點(diǎn)時(shí)態(tài)錯(cuò)誤,這在所難免,也可以理解。但是,在正式場(chǎng)合,如正式寫作中,就不能允許出現(xiàn)時(shí)態(tài)錯(cuò)誤,因?yàn)檫@是英語(yǔ)語(yǔ)法的基礎(chǔ)。我們學(xué)習(xí)時(shí)態(tài)的目的,主要在于應(yīng)用。因此,在使用英語(yǔ),尤其是在寫作時(shí),一定要有時(shí)態(tài)意識(shí),長(zhǎng)此以往就能養(yǎng)成正確使用時(shí)態(tài)的習(xí)慣。