What is the term for a verb tense that expresses actions or states in the past?

The term for a verb tense that expresses actions or states in the past is indeed past tense. This tense is used to indicate that an action has already occurred or that a state of being was true at some time before the present. For example, in the sentence "She walked to the store," the verb "walked" is in the past tense, clearly indicating that the action of walking took place in the past.

Understanding verb tenses is crucial in constructing sentences that convey the appropriate timing of actions or states. Past tense can include simple forms, like "walked," as well as the perfect forms that specify completed actions, such as "had walked." This versatility allows for nuanced expression of time in narrative writing.