Simple Past

SIMPLE 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.

EXTRA PRACTICE

http://www.myenglishpages.com/site_php_files/grammar-exercise-simple-past.php

http://www.ego4u.com/en/cram-up/grammar/simple-past/exercises

http://www.englisch-hilfen.de/en/exercises/tenses/simple_past_mix.htm

http://www.perfect-english-grammar.com/past-simple-exercise-7.html