A2 English GrammarPast Simple Tense
Describe completed actions in the past. Learn regular verb endings (-ed) and common irregular verb forms for everyday communication.
1Regular Past Tense: Add -ed
Most verbs form the past tense by adding -ed to the base form. The past form is the same for all subjects (I, you, he, she, we, they). Pronunciation varies: /t/, /d/, or /ÉĒd/.
Regular Past Tense
| Base Form | Past Form | Pronunciation |
|---|---|---|
| work | worked | /t/ |
| play | played | /d/ |
| want | wanted | /ÉĒd/ |
| live | lived | /d/ |
| watch | watched | /t/ |
Examples
I worked yesterday.
I worked yesterday.
work â worked
She played tennis last week.
She played tennis last week.
play â played
We visited Paris in 2020.
We visited Paris in 2020.
visit â visited
They watched a movie last night.
They watched a movie last night.
watch â watched
2Spelling Rules for -ed
Some verbs have spelling changes when adding -ed: verbs ending in -e just add -d, verbs ending in consonant + y change to -ied, short verbs ending in consonant-vowel-consonant double the final consonant.
Spelling Rules
| Rule | Base | Past |
|---|---|---|
| Ends in -e: add -d | like, love, live | liked, loved, lived |
| Consonant + y: change to -ied | study, try, cry | studied, tried, cried |
| CVC: double consonant | stop, plan, prefer | stopped, planned, preferred |
Examples
He loved his job.
He loved his job.
love â loved (just add -d)
She studied all night.
She studied all night.
study â studied (y â ied)
The bus stopped suddenly.
The bus stopped suddenly.
stop â stopped (double p)
3Common Irregular Verbs
Many common verbs have irregular past forms that must be memorized. There's no pattern - you need to learn each one. These are the most frequently used irregular verbs.
Common Irregular Verbs
| Base Form | Past Form |
|---|---|
| be | was/were |
| have | had |
| go | went |
| come | came |
| see | saw |
| do | did |
| make | made |
| get | got |
| take | took |
| say | said |
Examples
I was tired yesterday.
I was tired yesterday.
be â was
She went to the store.
She went to the store.
go â went
We had a great time.
We had a great time.
have â had
He made dinner for us.
He made dinner for us.
make â made
4Negatives and Questions
For negatives and questions in past simple, use 'did' + base verb (NOT past form!). 'Did' carries the past meaning, so the main verb returns to base form.
Past Simple: Did
| Type | Structure | Example |
|---|---|---|
| Negative | did not (didn't) + base verb | I didn't go. |
| Question | Did + subject + base verb? | Did you go? |
| Wh-question | Wh- + did + subject + base verb? | Where did you go? |
Examples
I didn't see him.
I didn't see him.
didn't + base verb 'see'
Did you enjoy the party?
Did you enjoy the party?
Did + base verb
She didn't come to work.
She didn't come to work.
didn't + base verb 'come'
What did you do yesterday?
What did you do yesterday?
Wh- + did + base verb