1. 表示過去某個(gè)特定時(shí)間發(fā)生的動(dòng)作或存在的狀態(tài)

這種情況下常與“just now剛才，yesterday昨天，last year去年，in 1999在1999年，two days ago兩天之前”等表示過去的時(shí)間狀語連用。

She suddenly fell ill yesterday.
她昨天突然病倒了。

We didn't have classes last week.
上周我們沒有上課。

一般過去時(shí)亦可與“today今天，this week這周，this month這個(gè)月，this year今年”等表示現(xiàn)階段時(shí)間狀語連用。如：

Did you meet him today?
今天你看見他了嗎？

2. 表示過去的習(xí)慣性或經(jīng)常發(fā)生的動(dòng)作

一般過去時(shí)表示過去經(jīng)常或反復(fù)發(fā)生的動(dòng)作，常和“often經(jīng)常，always總是，once a week一周一次”等表示頻度的時(shí)間狀語連用。

I went to the cinema once a week when I was at school.
我上學(xué)時(shí)每周去看一場電影。

When I was in the countryside, I often walked by the riverside.
我在鄉(xiāng)下時(shí)經(jīng)常在河邊散步。

表示過去一段時(shí)間內(nèi)經(jīng)常或反復(fù)發(fā)生的動(dòng)作，也可以用would+動(dòng)詞原形或用used to加動(dòng)詞原形：

When he was young, he would go skating every winter.
他年輕時(shí)每年冬天都要去滑冰。

Mrs Smith used to have a big house in down town.
史密斯夫人在城里曾經(jīng)有一座大房子。

3. 在條件、時(shí)間狀語從句中代替一般過去將來時(shí)

They said they would let me know as soon as they got there.
他們說只要他們一到達(dá)那兒就會(huì)馬上讓我知道的。

He said he would not go if it rained.
他說如果下雨他就不去。

4. 用于虛擬語氣

If only I were a bird.
要是我是只鳥兒就好了。（表示不可能）

Did you wish to see me?
你是找我嗎？（表示委婉）