Pages

Friday 29 June 2012

SIMPLE PAST

The simple past expresses an action in the past taking place once, never, several times. It can also be used for actions taking place one after another or in the middle of another action.

 

Form of Simple Past

 

Affirmative sentences:


Always use the same form of the verb no matter what the subject is.

regular verbs irregular verbs
I played football. I went to the supermarket.

 

Negative sentences:


Always use the auxiliary DID no matter what the subject is.

regular verbs irregular verbs
I did not play football. I did not go to the supermarket.

NOTE: Short forms in negative sentences in the Simple Past are used quite often.

regular verbs irregular verbs
I didn't play football. I didn't go to the supermarket.

 

Questions:

Always use the auxiliary DID no matter what the subject is.

regular verbs irregular verbs
Did you play football? Did I go to the supermarket?

 

Questions without question words in the Simple Past

 

Auxiliary Subject Verb Rest Yes/No Subject Auxiliary (+ n't)
Max play football? Yes, he
No, he
you watch the film yesterday? Yes, I
No, I
To be Subject
Rest Yes/No Subject Auxiliary (+ n't)
you
in Leipzig last week? Yes, I
No, I

In the simple past for irregular verbs we use the past form (list of irregular verbs, 2nd column). For regular verbs, just add -ed.

Exceptions in Spelling when Adding ed

 

Exceptions in spelling when adding edExample
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.

 

Signal Words of Simple Past

  • yesterday, before, ago, in 1990, the other day, on their holiday, last night, last Friday, last weekend, last year, etc. 



 CLICK ON THE LINKS BELOW TO PRACTISE SIMPLE PAST
EXERCISE 1
EXERCISE 2
EXERCISE 3
EXERCISE 4
EXERCISE 5
EXERCISE 6
EXERCISE 7
EXERCISE 8
EXERCISE 9 


And... if explanation has not been enough and you need more, watch these slides


                                            
                                                  
 



No comments:

Post a Comment