1.2. "Regular life"
The Past Simple
FORMATION OF REGULAR PAST TENSE |
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TYPE 1 |
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TYPE 2 |
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TYPE 3 |
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TYPE 4 |
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Listen to the pronunciation of the regular verbs in this grid:
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In the grid above, you can see how to form the Past Simple tense of regular verbs. Notice the phonemic transcription in each case and try to say it out loud. It's good practice!
Later in this unit you will learn some pronunciation rules regarding regular verbs in the past.
In the grid below, you can take a look at different uses of the Past Simple and examples that will help you understand it better. Say the examples out loud too and remember to link the ending sound of one word with the beginning of the following one to sound more natural in English.
PAST SIMPLE: USE |
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USE1
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We use the Past Simple to express an action that started and finished at a specific time in the past. |
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Examples | Expressions of time | |
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Ago (with a period of time) Yesterday(+evening, morning, afternoon) Last night, last year... Last Wednesday, etc. |
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USE 2 |
We use the Past Simple to list a series of completed actions in the past and to describe a sequence of events in the past. |
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Examples | Expressions of time | |
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After
Then Later |
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USE 3 |
We use the Past Simple with a duration that starts and stops in the past. |
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Examples | Expressions of time | |
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For two years For five minutes All day All month, etc. |
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USE 4 |
We use the Past Simple to refer to past habits |
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Examples | Expressions of time | |
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When I/he/we was/were... |
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I brushed my teeth last night. You brushed your teeth last night. He/she brushed his/her teeth last night. We brushed our teeth last night. You brushed your teeth last night. They brushed their teeth last night. |
I did not (didn't) call you last night. You did not (didn't) call me last night. He/she did not (didn't) call me last night. We did not (didn't) call you last night. You did not (didn't) call us last night. They did not didn't) call you last night. |
Did I ask the question? Yes, I did/No I didn't. Did you ask the question? Yes you did/ No, you didn't. Did he/she ask the question? Yes, he/she did/No, he/she didn't. Did we ask the question? Yes, we did/No, we didn't. Did you ask a question? Yes we did/No, we didn't. Did they ask question? Yes they did/No, we didn't. |
Prepositions in time expressions:
IN |
years months seasons |
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ON |
days dates |
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NOTE: Remember, days of the week and months of the year are always capitalized in English.
Do it yourself
In the text below a grandpa is telling his grandson about his life. Put the verbs in the correct tense. Remember the Past Simple tense spelling rules and pay attention to how the sequence of past events is presented.
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After reading the text above, write a similar paragraph about your grandpa or grandma's life in your notebook.
Be sure to use the verbs in the correct tense and review spelling in the Past Simple.
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