Form of Simple Past
Positive | Negative | Question | ||||||||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
I spoke. | I did not speak. | Did I speak? |
For irregular verbs, use the past form (see list of irregular verbs, 2nd column). For regular verbs, just add “ed”.
Exceptions in Spelling when Adding ‘ed’
Exceptions in spelling when adding ed | Example |
---|---|
after a final e only add d | love – loved |
final consonant after a short, stressed vowel or l as final consonant after a vowel is doubled |
admit – admitted travel – travelled |
final y after a consonant becomes i | hurry – hurried |
Use of Simple Past
- action in the past taking place once, never or several times
Example: He visited his parents every weekend.
- actions in the past taking place one after the other
Example: He came in, took off his coat and sat down.
- action in the past taking place in the middle of another action
Example: When I was having breakfast, the phone suddenly rang.
- if sentences type II (If I talked, …)
Example: If I had a lot of money, I would share it with you.
Key Words of Simple Past
yesterday, 2 minutes ago, in 1990, the other day, last Friday, in September etc
Let's practice now!
Exercise 1(test)
A STORY: Goldilocks and the three bears Part 1 Part 2 Part 3
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