一般过去式通常指在过去发生，在过去结束的动作，而且这个动作一般化与现在的情况关系不大或不强调与现在情况的关系。
首先、表示发生在过去的动作或存在于过去的状态。
Tom fell ill yesterday, so he didn’t attend the meeting.汤姆昨天病了，所以没有参加会议。
She was in a hurry going to the station when I saw her.我看到她的时候，她正在急匆匆地赶往车站。
注意：这时，动作可以是短暂的，也可以是延续很长时间的。
Tom worked in USA for ten years and is living in his hometown now.汤姆在美国工作了十年，现在生活在家乡。
其次、连续的多个动作可以使用同样的过去时态
Tom parked his car, walked to the front door of his house and found that he had lost his keys.汤姆停好了车，走到房子的前门然后发现自己丢了钥匙。
第三、用于虚拟语气中。
虚拟语气会使用一般过去式来表达对现在的情况的虚拟。
If I were you, I would follow the doctor’s advice.如果我是你的话，我就会听从医生的嘱咐。
第四、用于固定句型It is time that sb did sth
It is high time that we did something to save the poor dog.我们应该马上做点什么事来救这只可怜的狗。
第五、过去多次发生的动作
You always got up late and never had time for some food.你总是起床很晚，没有时间吃东西。