English Grammar: Past Simple Tense

Formation

• The past simple is formed using the verb in its base form and adding -ed for regular verbs.
• Irregular verbs have unique past simple forms that must be memorized.

Usage

• The past simple is used to describe:
  • Completed actions in the past
  • Specific times in the past (e.g. yesterday, last week)
  • Sequences of events in the past
  • Habits or states in the past (e.g. I lived in Paris)

Verb Tenses Comparison

• Past simple vs. past continuous:
  • Past simple: used for completed actions
  • Past continuous: used for actions in progress at a specific time in the past
• Past simple vs. past perfect:
  • Past simple: used for completed actions in the past
  • Past perfect: used for actions that occurred before another action in the past

Common Time Expressions

• Yesterday
• Last week/month/year
• Ago (e.g. three days ago)
• In [year] (e.g. in 2010)

Spelling Rules

• Verbs that end in -e, drop the -e and add -d
• Verbs that end in a consonant + y, change the y to i and add -ed
• Verbs that end in a vowel + y, add -ed

Formation of Past Simple

• The past simple is formed by adding -ed to the base form of regular verbs.
• Irregular verbs have unique past simple forms that must be memorized.

Usage of Past Simple

• Describes completed actions in the past.
• Used to talk about specific times in the past (e.g. yesterday, last week).
• Used to describe sequences of events in the past.
• Used to talk about habits or states in the past (e.g. I lived in Paris).

Comparison of Verb Tenses

Past Simple vs. Past Continuous

• Past simple: used for completed actions.
• Past continuous: used for actions in progress at a specific time in the past.

Past Simple vs. Past Perfect

• Past simple: used for completed actions in the past.
• Past perfect: used for actions that occurred before another action in the past.

Common Time Expressions

• Yesterday
• Last week/month/year
• Ago (e.g. three days ago)
• In [year] (e.g. in 2010)

Spelling Rules for Past Simple

• Verbs that end in -e: drop the -e and add -d.
• Verbs that end in a consonant + y: change the y to i and add -ed.
• Verbs that end in a vowel + y: add -ed.

Test your understanding of the past simple tense, its formation, and usage in English grammar. Learn to describe completed actions, specific times, and habits in the past.