English Grammar Basics: Past Simple Verbs and Modal Verb Could

Posted on Sep 10, 2024 in Spanish

Vocabulary

Actions:

  • Design = Diseñar
  • Develop = Desarrollar
  • Discover = Descubrir
  • Establish = Crear
  • Explore = Explorar
  • Fly = Volar
  • Invent = Inventar
  • Paint = Pintar
  • Rule = Regla
  • Study = Estudiar
  • Teach = Enseñar
  • Win = Ganar

Life Events:

  • Be born = Nacer
  • Become a grandparent
  • Buy a house = Comprar una casa
  • Fall in love = Enamorarse
  • Get engaged = Comprometerse
  • Get married = Casarse
  • Go to school = Ir a la escuela
  • Have a child = Tener un hijo
  • Learn to drive = Aprender a conducir
  • Leave school = Salir de la escuela
  • Move house = Mudarse
  • Start working = Empezar a trabajar
  • Retire = Jubilarse
  • Travel abroad = Viajar al extranjero

Verbs

Regular Past Simple Verbs

Irregular Past Simple Verbs

Normal:

Help + ed = helped

We went skateboarding in the park.

The verb be has two forms: was and were.

  • I/he/she/it was at the National Gallery.
  • You/We/They were at the Science Museum.

Final -e:

Like + d = liked

Final consonant + y:

Carry -> y + ied = carried

Short vowel + consonant:

Double the consonant + ed -> plan + ned = planned

Verb Be

Base Form: Be

Past Simple: Was/Were

Could/Couldn’t

Affirmative

I/You/He/She/We/They could run.

Negative

I/You/He/She/We/They couldn’t run.

Interrogative

Could I/You/He/She/We/They run?

Full Form

Couldn’t = Could not

Short Answers

  • Yes, I could. / No, I couldn’t.
  • Yes, they could. / No, they couldn’t.