Past Simple Tense in English: A Full Overview
Understanding the Past Simple Tense
Regular Verbs in Past Simple
We use the infinitive and add the ending -ed.
- For verbs that end in an e, we only add -d.
- change → changed
- believe → believed
- decide → decided
- If the verb ends in a short vowel and a consonant (except y or w), we double the final consonant.
- stop → stopped
- commit → committed
- With verbs that end in a consonant and a y, the y is changed to an i. Then, add -ed.
- study → studied
- try → tried
Sentence Structure in Past Simple
1. Affirmative
Read MoreThe Moonstone: Characters, Plot, and Questions
Characters
Rachel Verinder: A young woman in love with Franklin Blake.
Franklin Blake: Rachel’s cousin, a cheerful young man in love with her.
Godfrey Ablewhite: Rachel’s other cousin, who competes for her attention and who has a secret side to his life.
Rosanna Spearman: A servant in the Verinder home, also in love with Franklin Blake.
Gabriel Betteredge: The Verinders’ devoted servant.
Sergeant Cuff: The detective who investigates the theft of the Moonstone.
Mr. Bruff: The Verinder family lawyer.
English Learning: Travel, Grammar, and Photo Descriptions
Letter to Emily
Dear Emily,
Thank you for your email! I’m excited about spending the summer with you and greatly appreciate your hospitality.
My flight will be arriving at Newark Airport on September 10th at 3:00 p.m. The flight number is LA456. After collecting my luggage, I’ll be exiting through the B arrivals gate. My cell phone number is +569 35414493, in case you need to reach me that day.
To answer your other questions, I will be returning to Peru on October 1st. I’m allergic to nuts, so I can’
Read MoreEnglish Grammar: Active/Passive Voice, Reported Speech & Vocabulary
English Grammar Essentials
Vocabulary
t.6 Mistreats: maltreatar, tame: domar, endangered species: especies en perill d’extincio, extinct: extinguirse, cages: gabia, wildlife: vida salvatge, laboratories: laboratoris, researches: investigacions, experiment: experiment, human guinea pigs: conillets d’india, species breed: especies reproduint-se, ethical: etic, hunt: caza.
Active and Passive Voice
Active: Many tourists visit Big Ben. -> Passive: Big Ben is visited by many tourists.
Active | Passive | |
Present |
Mastering English Grammar: Verb Forms, Passive Voice, and More
Mastering Verb Forms in English
Verb + -ing (Gerund)
Verbs commonly followed by the -ing form (gerund):
(stop, delay, fancy, consider, admit, miss, involve, enjoy, mind, suggest, finish, postpone, imagine, avoid, deny, risk, practise)
Examples:
- Would you mind closing the door for me?
- Have you ever considered going to another country to work?
Verb + to (Infinitive)
Verbs commonly followed by the infinitive (to + verb):
(offer, decide, hope, deserve, attempt, promise, agree, plan, aim, afford, manage, threaten,
Read MoreMastering English Grammar: Passive Voice, Reported Speech, and More
Passive Voice
Passive Voice Examples:
- Active: buys – Passive: is bought
- Active: ate – Passive: was eaten
- Active: is cleaning – Passive: is being cleaned
- Active: were visiting – Passive: was being visited
- Active: have never recycled – Passive: has never been recycled
- Active: had done – Passive: had been done
- Active: will forget – Passive: will be forgotten
Example Sentence:
I will send you the information by mail.
Passive Transformations:
- The information will be sent to you by mail.
- You will be sent the information