simplepasttense

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Simple Past Tense:

All complete sentences in English have a verb.

             Review: What is a "verb"?
                            -A verb is a

Check for Understanding:

In this sentence, which word is the verb?

"The sun sets in the west."

The sun sets in the west

What is the "simple past tense"?

The simple past tense describes an event from the past that does not extend into the present.
It is also known as the "preterite" tense.
All verbs in sentences are changed to be in the past tense to describe an event from the past.

Simple Past Tense Rules:
According to GingerSoftware.com:

Add "-ed" to most verbs.

For example: talk --> talked , employ --> employed

If a short verb ends with a consonant-vowel-consonant, double the last letter and then add ed.

Ex. stop > stopped, top --> topped

However, do not double the last letter if the verb ends in w, x or y. Ex. play --> played, mix --> mixed.

In longer words, if the last syllable of the verb ends with a consonant-vowel-consonant and that syllable is stressed, double the last consonant and then add ed.

Ex. prefer --> preferred

However, do not double the last letter if the first syllable is stressed. Ex. enter --> entered

If the verb ends in e, just add "-d".

For example: create --> created , live --> lived

If the verb ends in a consonant + "y", change the "y" to "i" and add "-ed".

For example: try --> tried

Examples:

Present Tense:

Past Simple Tense:

What did the verb change to?

He walks to the shop.

He walked to the shop yesterday.

Answer: walked

They run in the park.

They ran in the park this morning.

Answer: ran

We eat cake on birthdays.

We ate cake at the birthday party.

Answer: ate

She sleeps late every Saturday.

She slept late last Saturday.

Answer: slept

Negative Phrases in Past Tense:

Present Tense:

Negative Past Tense:

What did the verb change to?

I visit clients in London.

I didn't visit clients in London last week.

Answer: didn't visit

She plans the event by herself.

She didn't plan the event by herself this time.

Answer: didn't plan

He flies alone on all of his trips.

He didn't fly alone this time.

Answer: didn't fly

I wanted to go to the concert.

I didn't want to go to the concert.

Answer: didn't want