一般过去时用于描述在过去某个特定时间发生的动作或状态，通常与时间状语如yesterday, last week, in 2010, three months ago等连用。一般过去时的谓语动词构成是在动词原形后加-ed，但需要注意的是，一些不规则动词的过去式形式需要特别记忆。

肯定句

She often came to help us in those days.

I went to the park yesterday.

They finished their work at four.

否定句

He didn't finish his homework.

She wasn't at home yesterday.

They didn't go to the movies last night.

疑问句

Did they finish their work at four？

Was she at home yesterday？

Did you go to the store last week？

特殊用法

一般过去时还可以用于表示过去习惯性或经常性的动作，常与频度副词如often, always, once a week等连用。例如：

He would go skating every winter.

Mrs. Smith used to have a big house in downtown.

通过这些例句，可以看到一般过去时主要用于描述过去某个时间点的具体动作或状态，并且通常需要与特定的时间状语配合使用。在构造一般过去时的句子时，要注意动词的时态变化，尤其是不规则动词的过去式形式。