Simple Past

Use of Simple Past

Simple Past is used for actions and situations in the past.

Facts and situations in the past

Expresses a fact or given situation in the past.

Form of Simple Past

	Positive	Negative	Question
no differences	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.

HOMEWORK  Level III


EXERCISE A

Read a sentence about the PRESENT and then write a sentence about the PAST.

ANSWER

Examples:   Carol usually gets up at 7:30. Yesterday she got up at 7:30.

1.Carol usually wakes up early. Yesterday morning ___________________________

2.Carol usually walks to work. Yesterday___________________________________

3.Carol is usually late for work. Yesterday __________________________________

4.Carol usually has a sandwich for lunch. Yesterday__________________________

5.Carol usually goes out in the evening. Yesterday evening ____________________

6.Carol usually sleeps very well. Last night, ________________________________

EXERCISE B

Put one of these verbs in each sentence in past: HURT - TEACH - SPEND - SELL - THROW - FALL - CATCH - BUY - COST

ANSWER

Examples:   I was hungry, so I bought something to eat at the store.

1.Tom's father ___________ him how to drive when he was 17.

2.Tim ___________  down the stairs this morning and _______________  his leg.

3.We needed some money, so we ___________  our car.

4.Ann _______a lot of money yesterday. She_________   a dress that __________  $80.

5.Sally ___________   the ball to Sue, who______________   it.