介词短语 in the past 在句中用时间状语时，既可以连用一般过去时，也可以连和现在完成时，两者的区别是：用一般过去时，客观地叙述过去的情况；用现在完成时，强调持续到现在的状态或对现在影响。

一、与一般过去时连用

In the past, people had fewer expectations. 过去，人们的希求要少一些。
The capital of England is London. In the past it was Winchester. 英国现在的首都是伦敦，过去是温切斯特。
In the past he had to read by candlelight. 过去他只得在烛光下攻读。
In the past, people thought it was their religious duty to give alms to the poor. 过去，人们认为给穷人施舍是他们的宗教义务。
二、与现在完成时连用

The two sides will have to be better and tougher than either has beenin the past. 双方都必须比过去更好一些、更强硬一些。
They have been so feather-bedded in the past that they can’t cope with hardship now. 他们一直娇生惯养，所以现在过不了苦日子。
In the past this process of transition has often proved difficult. 过去这种过渡过程常证明是困难的。

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