ESL Grammar Simple Past

Forms of Simple Past Regular Verbs 

Affirmative

Subject   +   Verb+ed

Exampled: I talked with my brother.

Negative

Subject   + auxiliary verb   +   not   +   verb

Example: He did not talk with Mary.

Question 

Auxiliary verb   +   Subject   +   Verb

Example: Did you go to school today?

Uses of Simple Past 

1. Actions in the past taking place once, never or several times. She visited her brother every weekend. 

2. Actions in the past taking place one after the other. They entered the room, sat in the chairs and listened to their teacher. 

3. Actions in the past that have finished. I finished my homework yesterday. I walked from my house to the school. 

Special Notes

Exceptions in spelling when adding ed

1.  After a final e only add d.  love - loved

2. Final consonant after a short, stressed vowel or l as a final consonant is doubled. admit- admitted, travel- travelled

3. Final y after a consonant become i. hurry- hurried