PAST SIMPLE

USE

We use the Simple Past to express the idea that an action started and finished at a specific time in the past.

WORDS

These are some words and expressions that usually appear with a verb in the Past Simple.

Last week, night, Monday, year, month,... ……..ago Yesterday... In 1986... The other day...

REGULAR VERBS

To write the past simple of a regular verb we add “-ed” to the base form.

Work --- Worked Play --- Played Paint --- Painted

SPELLING RULESTo avoid spelling mistakes we must remember three rules:

1.After consonat+vowel+consonant we double the last consonant when the syllable is stressed.

Stop Stopped Clap Clapped Plan Planned

SPELLING RULES

2- After a final -e only add d .

Rule Ruled Live Lived Love Loved Move Moved

SPELLING RULES

3.When the verb ends in consonant+y we drop the “y” and write “i+ed”.

Cry Cried Try Tried Carry Carried

IRREGULAR VERBS

Most verbs are regular. But there are also irregular verbs. You must study the List of Irregular verbs to use them.

Choose the Second Column: Break Broke Broken Do Did Done Write Wrote Written

AFFIRMATIVE SENTENCES

We use the same form with different subjects to express the past.

She broke her leg I found a job We worked together You stopped the car.

AUXILIARY VERB

The auxiliary verb for the past simple is “DID”/DIDN’T .

When we use the auxiliary verb “did” or “didn´t” the main verb is written in the infinitive.

NEGATIVE SENTENCES

We write didn´t before the main verb. Remember the verb in the infinitive.

SUBJECT +DIDN’T+MAIN VERB+COMPLEMENT

I didn´t study for my exams. They didn´t bring the flowers. She didn´t stop the car. The programme didn´t begin one hour ago.

QUESTIONS IN THE PAST SIMPLE

We write did /didn’t before the subject. The main verb is written in the infinitive.

DID + SUBJECT + MAIN VERB + COMPLEMENT

Did you come yesterday? Did you hear the noise? Did she open the present?

Put the verbs into the correct form (simple past).

Last year I (spend) ________my holiday in Ireland.

It (be) ________great. I (travel)___________ around by car with

two friends and we (visit) ________lots of interesting places.

In the evenings we usually (go)_______ to a pub.

spent

was

travelled

visited

went

One night we even (learn)________ some Irish dances.

We (be) ________very lucky with the weather.

It (not / rain)___________ a lot. But we (see) ________some beautiful

rainbows. Where (spend / you)__________ your

last holiday?

learnt

were

saw

didn’t rain

did you spend