THE SIMPLE PAST TENSE

Of Regular and Irregular verbs

When do we use the Simple Past tense

We use the Simple Past tense of the verbs to describe an action that took place in a SPECIFIC TIME in the past.

I studied for my quiz last night.

I went to the garage one week ago.

Simple Past Tense of Regular verbs

For all the Regular verbs « ed » is added to the end of the infinitive

form of the verb. I enjoyed the supper

In this case the infinitive form of the verb is enjoy. So we add « ed » to the verb.

This is true for all the regular verbs. But there are some exceptions

EXCEPTIONS

If the verb is one syllable, ends with a consonant and is preceeded by a vowel, we have to DOUBLE the consonant:

Ex: CHAT consonant

VowelWe must DOUBLE the consonant:

Chatted

EXCEPTIONSIf the verb finishes with « y » and is prceeded by a consonant, you must change the « y » for an « i » and add « ed »

Ex: FRY

Consonant The same think for:

To cry = cried

To hurry = hurried

+ i + ed = Fried

Key words for identifying past actions

The following words are some cue words that you can find in the sentences that indicate that the action has been done.

Yesterday Last night

week

Summer

Ago

What about Irregular verbs?

In the Simple Past tense the irregular verbs change form. That is why we call them irregular. The secret in knowing them is to learn them by heart.

To fly = flew To run = ran

To say = said To draw = drew

To sit = sat To drink = drank

Exercising

Exercise 1

Exercise 6

Exercise 5

Exercise 2

Exercise 3

Exercise 4