1)兩個(gè)動(dòng)作如按順序發(fā)生，又不強(qiáng)調(diào)先后，或用then，and，but 等連詞時(shí)，多用一般過去時(shí)。

When she saw the mouse，she screamed.

My aunt gave me a hat and I lost it.

2 ) 兩個(gè)動(dòng)作相繼發(fā)生，可用一般過去時(shí);如第一個(gè)動(dòng)作需要若干時(shí)間完成，用過去完成時(shí)。

When I heard the news, I was very excited.

3)敘述歷史事實(shí)，可不用過去完成時(shí)，而只用一般過去時(shí)。

Our teacher told us that Columbus discovered America in 1492.