Past simple

PAST SIMPLE

Most verbs make the past simple in the following ways:

1) REGULAR VERBS

– (most verbs) – take “–ed”

• WORK: She worked very hard.

- verbs that end with “e” take “–d”

• DANCE: Jack danced with Peggy.

- verbs that end with “y” change to “ie”

• COPY: Jane copied 5 pages.

- if there is a vowel before “y”, there is no change

• PLAY: We played football.

- short verbs (one syllable) often double the final consonant

• STOP: She stopped smoking

2) IRREGULAR VERBS (verbs which are often used)

- there is no logic. You have to memorize irregular forms. Study the following list of the most important verbs:

 

BEGIN

BEGAN

FALL

FELL

BREAK

BROKE

FIND

FOUND

BRING

BROUGHT

FLY

FLEW

BUILD

BUILT

FORGET

FORGOT

BUY

BOUGHT

GET

GOT

CATCH

CAUGHT

GIVE

GAVE

COME

CAME

GO

WENT

DO

DID

HAVE

HAD

DRINK

DRANK

HEAR

HEARD

EAT

ATE

KNOW

KNEW

 

LEAVE

LEFT

SELL

SOLD

LOSE

LOST

SIT

SAT

MAKE

MADE

SLEEP

SLEPT

MEET

MET

SPEAK

SPOKE

PAY

PAID

STAND

STOOD

PUT

PUT

TAKE

TOOK

READ

READ

TELL

TOLD

RING

RANG

THINK

THOUGHT

SAY

SAID

WIN

WON

SEE

SAW

WRITE

WROTE