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Understanding the Simple Past Tense

The simple past tense expresses actions that occurred in the past, whether once, never, or repeatedly. It can describe single actions or actions occurring sequentially or within other past actions. The simple past is formed by using the past tense form of regular verbs (adding "-ed") or irregular verb forms, with some spelling exceptions when adding "-ed". This tense is used to narrate past events and hypothetical situations introduced by "if" statements.

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66 views1 page

Understanding the Simple Past Tense

The simple past tense expresses actions that occurred in the past, whether once, never, or repeatedly. It can describe single actions or actions occurring sequentially or within other past actions. The simple past is formed by using the past tense form of regular verbs (adding "-ed") or irregular verb forms, with some spelling exceptions when adding "-ed". This tense is used to narrate past events and hypothetical situations introduced by "if" statements.

Uploaded by

andrei
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
Available Formats
Download as DOCX, PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd

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


Positive

no differences

I spoke.

Negative

I did not speak.

Question

Did I speak?

For irregular verbs, use the past form (see list of irregular verbs, 2nd column). For regular verbs, just
added.

Exceptions in Spelling when Adding ed


Exceptions in spelling when adding ed

after a final e only add d

love loved

final consonant after a short, stressed vowel

admit admitted

or l as final consonant after a vowel is doubled

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.

Example

if sentences type II (If I talked, )


Example: If I had a lot of money, I would share it with you.

Signal Words of Simple Past

yesterday, 2 minutes ago, in 1990, the other day, last Friday

If-Satz Typ II (If I talked, )

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