Structure and use of the simple past tense in English
- 1. SIMPLE PAST
- 2. Regular verbs The verbs (except to be) are divided in two groups to form their conjugation in simple past: Regular verbs. They are formed adding -ed to the verbs. Example: watch watched play played Irregular verbs. They are formed in a different form to the verbs. They do not follow a rule and we have to learn them by Example: run ran eat ate
- 3. CONCLUSIONES Majority of the verbs: + -ed The majority of the regular verbs form their simple past by adding - ed: listen listened walk walked want wanted Verbs ending in -e: only add –d For the verbs that end in –e, only add –d: close closed like liked use used Verbs ending in consonant-y: –ied When the verbs end in a conso- nant and –y, change the "y" for an "i" and add –ed: study studied spy spied try tried Spelling rules of the regular verbs Verbs ending in vowel-y: –ed When the verbs end in a vowell and -y: add -ed. play played stay stayed enjoy enjoyed 1-syllable verbs ending in CVC: double consonant + –ed With one-syllable verbs that end in CVC, double the last consonant and add -ed. stop stopped plan planned grab grabbed
- 4. According to the last sound of the regular verb in simple present, we pronounciate the -ed in three different forms: PRONUNCIATION OF –ED ENDINGS / t / /p/ stop stopped /k/ cook cooked /f/ stuff stuffed laugh laughed /ʃ/ wash washed /ʧ/ watch watched /s/ kiss kissed dance danced fix fixed / d / /m/ seem seemed /n/ open opened /v/ live lived /l/ call called /r/ discover discovered /g/ hug hugged /ʤ/ judge judged /z/ use used /b/ grab grabbed /ð/ bathe bathed /ŋ/ sign signed vowels study studied / ɪd / /t/ visit visited /d/ need needed
- 5. SIMPLE PAST: AFFIRMATIVE SENTENCES We form the simple past affirmative sentences as follows: verb in + simple past + complement. (regular or irregular) Example: I listened to music yesterday. She played the violin in the concert. We ate a lot in the party.
- 6. SIMPLE PAST: NEGATIVE SENTENCES We form the simple past negative sentences with the auxiliar did not: verb in + did not + simple form + complement. (regular or irregular) Example: I did not listen to music yesterday. She did not play the violin in the concert. We did not eat a lot in the party.
- 7. Simple past: yes/no questions We form the simple past yes/no questions with the auxiliar did: verb in Did + + simple form + complement + ? (regular or irregular) Example: Did you listen to music yesterday? Yes, I did. Did she play the violin in the concert? Yes, she did. Did we eat a lot in the party? No, we didn't.
- 8. Simple past: Wh-questions For the simple past wh- questions, we also use the auxiliar did: verb in Wh- word + did + + simple form + complement + ? (what, who, (regular or where, etc.) irregular) Example: What did you listen to yesterday? When did she play the violin? Who did we dance in the party with?