1.2. "Regular life"

 

The Past Simple 

FORMATION OF REGULAR PAST TENSE

TYPE 1 

  • We form the Past Simple by adding -ed to the verb
  1. WALK         WALKED     /ˈwɔːkt/
  2. BRUSH       BRUSHED   /ˈbrʌʃt/
  3. ASK           ASKED       /ˈɑːskt/
  4. SHOW        SHOWED   /ˈʃəʊd/

TYPE 2 

  • Verbs ending in –e, take only –d in the Past Simple 
  1. LIVE           LIVED     /ˈlɪvd/
  2. DATE          DATED    /ˈdeɪtɪd/ 
  3. CLOSE        CLOSED   /ˈklʊəzd/

TYPE 3 

  • Verbs ending in a stressed vowel consonant (but NOT w or y), double the final consonant and add -ed
  1. STOP     STOPPED    /ˈstɒpt/
  2. PLAN     PLANNED    /ˈplænd/

TYPE 4 

  • Verbs ending in consonant + y, change y into i, then add –ed
  1. TRY        TRIED  /ˈtraɪd/
  2. CRY        CRIED /ˈkraɪd/

Listen to the pronunciation of the regular verbs in this grid:

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

USE

 

  • COMPLETED ACTIONS  IN THE PAST:

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

Examples Expressions of time
  • My sister lived in London three years ago.
  • She visited her grandma yesterday.
  • We kissed in his apartment yesterday evening.
  • Last night, Pablo walked Beatriz home.
  • travelled to The Caribbean last Easter holidays.
  • He studied English after school.

 Ago (with a period of time)

 Yesterday(+evening, morning, afternoon)            

 Last night, last year...

 Last Wednesday, etc.

USE 2    
  • A SEQUENCE OF EVENTS IN THE PAST:

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.

Examples Expressions of time
  • After I finished work, I walked to the beach and stopped at a nice place to see the sunset
  • She arrived from the airport at 8:00, checked into the hotel at 9:00, and then called her boyfriend.
After 

Then

Later

USE 3     
  • DURATION IN THE PAST

We use the Past Simple with a duration that starts and stops in the past.

 Examples Expressions of time
  • My family and I lived in Brazil for four years.
  • He talked on the phone for thirty minutes.
  • She stayed at the beach all day.
  • My dad studied French for three years.

 For two years

 For five minutes

 All day

 All month, etc.

USE 4    
  • PAST HABITS:

We use the Past Simple to refer to past habits 

Examples Expressions of time
  • Jen played the piano when she was a child
  • My dad smoked heavily in his 30's.

When I/he/we was/were... 

 

+

-

?

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

  • In 1990
  • In July
  • In spring
ON

days

dates

  • On Tuesday
  • On 10th June

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.

TELL ME ABOUT THE GOOD OLD DAYS, GRANDPA

My grandfather had a very exciting life. When he was young, he (live) on a farm in the country. His parents (raise) cattle, and he (look) after1 the cows. When he was eighteen, he went to College, where he (study) Philosophy. He also (play) the trumpet in a jazz band. When the war (start), he (try) to join the Air Force, but he (end) up2 in the Navy. In the Atlantic, a German torpedo (rip) a hole in the side of his ship, and the ship sank. Only five men (escape). They (sail) in a lifeboat back to England. Then he met my grandmother, and they (marry) after only three weeks. He says now that he (want) to marry her very quickly in case he (die) in the war.

 

1 To look after means "to be responsible for", "to take care"
 2To end up means "to finish at a certain place"

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grandpas

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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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