Read, Listen & Watch: Simple Past Verb Tense
OVERVIEW
On this page, you will learn about the simple past tense.
- First, read the text about the simple past tense and study the examples.
- Then, listen to the audio of the text.
- Last, watch the video to learn more about the simple past tense.
READ & LISTEN
Read:
In the previous modules, you learned about present tense verbs. Now you will learn about past tense verbs. You use simple past tense to talk about things that happened and finished in the past at some time before now.
Add ed to a regular verb to make it past tense. There are different ways to add ed.
Listen:
PRINTABLE CHART REGULAR VERBS Links to an external site.
Pronunciation of ed:
The ed can be pronounced different ways. It can sound like t, d, or id. You will practice the pronunciation more in face-to-face class.
| LAST LETTER SOUND | ED SOUNDS LIKE | EXAMPLES |
|---|---|---|
| ch, f, gh, k, s, sh, th, x | t |
The Native Americans watched the Europeans. |
| a, b, e, g, h, i, j, l, m, n, o, q, r, u, w, x, y, z | d |
The English claimed Washington. |
| t or d | id |
The Americans wanted Washington to be a state. |
Read:
Some verbs are irregular. That means that you do not add 'ed' at the end to make them past tense. Instead, they become different words. You studied the verb 'be' in the present tense. 'Be' is irregular. Study the chart below. You will learn more about irregular verbs in another module.
Listen:
PRINTABLE CHART OF IRREGULAR VERBS Links to an external site.
WATCH
Watch:
VERBS IN PAST TENSE
Links to an external site.