1基本含义
in the past 是一个常用的英语短语，意思是"在过去"、"以前"。它用来指代过去的某个时间段或过去的经历。
things were different in the past.
过去的情况不一样。
in the past, people used horses for transportation.
以前，人们用马作为交通工具。
2时态搭配
in the past 通常与一般过去时或现在完成时连用：
i worked there in the past. (一般过去时)
我过去在那里工作过。
have you ever visited this place in the past? (现在完成时)
你以前来过这个地方吗？
3常见用法
在不同语境中的灵活运用：
in the past, we didn't have smartphones.
过去我们没有智能手机。
she has made mistakes in the past, but she's learned from them.
她过去犯过错，但已经从中吸取了教训。
4近义表达
其他表示"过去"的表达方式：
previously: i previously worked in marketing.
我之前在市场营销部门工作。
formerly: the building was formerly a factory.
这座建筑以前是个工厂。
before: before, we used to meet every week.
以前，我们每周都见面。