Past simple – regular verbs

Alfie took his driving test for the second time this morning. Did he pass?

Instructions

As you watch the video, look at the examples of regular past simple verbs. They are in red in the subtitles. Then read the conversation below to learn more. Finally, do the grammar exercises to check you understand, and can use, regular past simple verbs correctly.

Transcript

Oliver: So, how did it go? Did you pass?
Alfie: No, I failed ... again!
Oliver: I don’t believe it! How did you fail again? What happened this time?
Alfie: You won’t believe it!
Oliver: No? No way, Alfie, not the same as last time?
Alfie: Yep.
Oliver: No way! Not another cat?
Alfie: I know! I’m in shock! I love cats!
Oliver: So, what happened? 
Alfie: Well, I stopped at a zebra crossing to let an old man cross the road. No problem there. He walked across the road so I started to drive. Just then a cat appeared from nowhere!
Oliver: Did you hit it?
Alfie: I did. It was impossible to stop.
Oliver: I don’t believe you, Alfie. You’re joking, aren’t you? You didn’t fail, did you? Nobody can kill two cats on two driving tests! 
Alfie: What can I say? I know - it’s totally crazy. The owner of the cat arrived ... 
Oliver: Oh no ... and?
Alfie: Well, he said it wasn’t my fault, the cat escaped from the garden ... the driving instructor agreed too. So, we carried on with the test, but I was too nervous and I crossed a red traffic light.
Oliver: Poor you, mate! Do you want to come over?
Alfie: Yeah, OK. See you in five minutes.

The past simple is the most common way of talking about past events or states which have finished. It is often used with past time references (e.g. yesterday, two years ago).

Please explain past events or states!

A past event could be one thing that happened in the past, or a repeated thing.

I stopped at a zebra crossing.
We carried on with the test.
We played tennis every day in August.

A state is a situation without an action happening.

We stayed at my grandparents' house last summer.

How do you form the past simple?

Regular past simple forms are formed by adding -ed to the infinitive of the verb.

start started
kill killed
jump jumped

That seems easy!  

Yes, but there are some spelling rules. If a verb ends in -e, you add -d.

agree agreed
like
liked
escape
escaped

If a verb ends in a vowel and a consonant, the consonant is usually doubled before -ed.

stop stopped
plan
planned

If a verb ends in consonant and -y, you take off the y and add -ied.

try tried
carry
carried        

But if the word ends in a vowel and -y, you add -ed.

play played
enjoy
enjoyed

OK, not quite so easy! But the past simple form doesn't change at all for I, you, he, she, we and they, does it?

No, the form doesn't change. See, it is easy!

What about the pronunciation of the -ed ending?

There are three kinds of pronunciation: /d/, /t/ and /ɪd/. Look at the table below.

/d/ /t/ /ɪd/
arrived asked wanted
failed crossed decided
agreed stopped started

Aaagh! How do I know how to pronounce each one?

Good question. Well, really all you need to know is that /d/ is easier to say after arrive, and /t/ is easier to say after ask. For /ɪd/, the infinitive ends in a /d/ or a /t/ sound already so you must add an extra syllable for these verbs.

All right, that makes sense, but how do you form questions and negatives?

With the verb did (do in the past) + the infinitive.

Did you pass?
You didn't fail, did you?
Yes, I did. / No, I didn't.

Right, thanks, I've got it now!

Good. But you also need to learn the irregular past simple forms.

You mean there are verbs that don't end in -ed in the past?

Yes, they don't all end in -ed. Have a look at the past simple irregular verbs too.

 

Discussion

Did you like this grammar snack? What did you do yesterday? Tell us about your day.

Grammar
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Comments

Submitted by Teen@english on Sat, 06/29/2024 - 19:42

I liked this grammar snack very much. Honestly it was a great lesson for the beginner of the English learner. I did many things yesterday. I woke up early at 8:30 and brushed my teeth. I took a cup of tea with some cookies. I booked an auto( It's a three wheeler vehicle)on rapido. For the British reader, Rapido is an online application in india where you can book any kind of short-distance or long-distance ride easily. Well, I went to the hospital and came back to home at around 11 am. Yesterday was Friday, so I took bath and went to the mosque for worship then came back to home. I had lunch at about 4:30 pm in the evening and went to the bed to take some rest.

Submitted by Engeveryjoy on Fri, 10/20/2023 - 15:59

Yesterday I started my day with getting up at 8.20 . Before school I had breakfast. I had 7 lessons yesterday.After them I met my friend and we went for a walk.When I came back home I had dinner, read a book, looked through the phone and went to bed.

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Submitted by Snr.H on Wed, 05/10/2023 - 11:15

My day was pretty good i went to school

Submitted by BANAN on Wed, 08/10/2022 - 05:13

Yesterday l went for walk, l played football. l went my home, l cooked pizza and l cleaned the kitchen. Then I went to bed.

Submitted by cherry00 on Sat, 07/23/2022 - 13:44

Yesterday I stayed home. I read a book, I did my homework, I relaxed, I tidied my room and I watched TV.

Submitted by Baldbanana on Mon, 07/11/2022 - 15:28

Yesterday was Sunday, so I woke up late and had breakfast I read a book, vacuumed the floor, did some English and went for walk. Nothing special :)

Submitted by Sol04 on Wed, 05/25/2022 - 09:33

Yesterday I started School at 8.00 a.m. and I studied for all hours. Then, I went home and had lunch with my mum and my boyfriend. In the afternoon I went out with my boyfriend and a friend of ours, in the evening I had dinner with my mum, we had a delicious pizza and after that I cleaned the Kitchen and I went to bed.

Submitted by v01shebnik on Sat, 01/22/2022 - 19:24

Yes, this grammar snack was helped me a lot. I went to school in the morning yesterday. I learned seven lessons and returned home.

Submitted by student53 on Wed, 01/05/2022 - 14:37

Yesterday I walked in the woods all day, and in the evening I played games

Submitted by Ira1321 on Sat, 11/20/2021 - 15:27

This grammar snack is useful and interesting to understand this tense. Yesterday I woke up at 6 a.m and began to make my bed,then I went to the bathroom to care my skin.Next I began to make breakfast,it was sunny-side up egg with black tea.I was at school at 8 to 13 a.m.When I came home and I had lunch,then I had an English lesson.And of course,began to do my hometask and had dinner.About 10 p.m I started to get ready for bed and 10.30 p. I went to bed.

Submitted by Juana_Valerio on Wed, 10/27/2021 - 02:19

the activity was very easy to understand. Juana

Submitted by Leticiadv1405 on Tue, 10/26/2021 - 20:49

The activity was creative and simple.

Submitted by jesica_tomas on Mon, 10/25/2021 - 22:54

the grammar is easy to understand and the games are fun. 5°A T-LOG

Submitted by Graceherrera on Mon, 10/25/2021 - 21:27

the activities are interesting, it is a great platform to learn more about English, 5°A Logística

Submitted by fernasilv18 on Mon, 10/25/2021 - 21:21

The explanation of the topic can be easily understood. 5-A T-LOG

Submitted by vicky on Wed, 10/20/2021 - 02:45

I like the platform but I wish they made it more fun Edith Victoria 5A TLOG

Submitted by GUADALUPESIXTOS on Tue, 10/19/2021 - 04:09

The activity was easy to understand and elaborate. The issue became clearer to me.

Submitted by Ema_tavo on Tue, 08/31/2021 - 13:01

This grammar snacks are quite enjoyable. Yesterday I played tennis with my friend and I played Mariokart8 with him.

Submitted by Arivelde on Tue, 03/16/2021 - 19:05

Yes, I enjoyed it very much! Yesterday I woke up and went for a walk, after that I took a shower and went to my cell phone for 30 minutes. After that I did 1 hour of "Grammar Snack", when I was finished I played my guitar for almost the same time. Then I went outside and plyed some fotball. When it got dark I had another shower, did some research, had dinner, brushed my teath and went to sleep.
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Submitted by Cfvdv on Wed, 03/10/2021 - 19:35

Yes, I like it very much! Yesterday I woke up and I did some exersises walking outside of my house, then I learned english for one hour. After this I got out of my house again to let my dogs walk in the garden. At night I played video games and I had dinner with my family, then I brushed my teeth and I slept.
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Submitted by Kostantinus on Sat, 01/23/2021 - 09:08

Yes, I like this grammar snack very much. Yesterday I learnt English for two hours, then studied Frontend and after all of this I went outsite to do some exercises. I came back home, talked to my girlfriend, called my parents, had a shower, brushed my teeth, went to bed and fell asleep very fast. That was my yesterday :)

Submitted by 11mo on Fri, 11/13/2020 - 09:54

Yes, I did. Yesterday , I went to play basketball with my best friend in Shatin at 6 p.m. and we had so much fun. After I had swimming lesson at 8:45p.m., I ate dinner with him at food count.

Submitted by Luna on Sat, 08/15/2020 - 09:42

Yes, l did Yesterday, l woke up and l did exercise at 6:15 . l had breakfast with some milk tea . When learned english
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Submitted by Giovannichoi on Fri, 06/12/2020 - 02:36

I went to BC (British Council) on Wednesday to increase my English skills with my teacher Rachel!!
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Submitted by RosenSindSchwarz29 on Mon, 01/18/2021 - 11:50

Hey, yes, I like it. Yesterday me and my family were going for a walk near river. It was great. Nice day, Rose

In reply to by Giovannichoi

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Submitted by Sherry4869 on Wed, 05/13/2020 - 14:05

Yes,I liked this Grammer Snack!!! Yesterday was not a very nice day. The day was so hot. I don't like hot weather. I read my favourite book of Sherlock Holmes in my free time in a cold room with Air Condition. I wanted to eat some ice cream. But it is a dangerous season to eat ice cream. It is the time of COVID-19!!!!!!!!!

Submitted by sofka on Sun, 04/19/2020 - 17:55

yesterday I drew all day on my graphics tablet. and later in the evening we had dinner and again I sat at the computer and drew all night, I ate a lot of everything but I do not regret it

Submitted by FedericoB8 on Wed, 03/25/2020 - 18:43

yesterday I woke up at 9, after breakfast I followed an online Latin lesson, then I did my homeworks. After lunch I played with playstation and ping-pong, in the evening I saw the film "Fast and Furious 8".

Submitted by marchese on Mon, 03/23/2020 - 09:57

Yesterday I woke up early, had breakfast and had video lessons with some teachers, then I started doing my homework while listening to music. Finally in the evening I had dinner and I watched a tv series with my sister. Usually my days re like this.

Submitted by Micheleanto on Fri, 03/20/2020 - 17:27

Yesterday i celebrated the father’s day with my father, we ate the cake and i did my homework. Finally, after dinner, we watched a film together.

Submitted by asiasantin on Fri, 03/20/2020 - 16:18

Yes I liked it. Yesterday I woke up early, I put my house and my room in order with my mom, then I spent all afternoon doing my homework. Finally in the evening I prepared pizza, watched a good movie, and finally went to bed

Submitted by gattifederica on Fri, 03/20/2020 - 16:04

Yesterday I got up at 8 o’clock and I had breakfast. Then I participated in video calls with my teachers and my classmates. I had lunch and I did my homework in the afternoon. After I listened to music and I went online. I had dinner with my parents and then I chatted with my friends. Finally I watched TV series and I went to bed.

Submitted by BttChiara on Fri, 03/20/2020 - 15:57

Yes, I liked a lot this grammar snack. It was really fun! Yesterday I spoke to my friend and I told her the news. After that I learnt some English vocabulary and I watched a film.

Submitted by ballerinichiara on Fri, 03/20/2020 - 15:05

Yesterday in the morning I had some video lessons. In the afternoon I cook some biscuist at chocolate with my brothers and they were delicious! We also ate they after dinner!

Submitted by bea_mara on Fri, 03/20/2020 - 14:49

Yes, I like it. Yesterday I didn't do many things. I had two video lessons in the morning and then I watched some TV until lunchtime. In the afternoon I watched a streaming movie with my family and in the evening we played Monopoli. It was a very peaceful day.

Submitted by Naogiosu7 on Fri, 03/20/2020 - 13:55

Yes i did. Yesterday i woke up at 7 o'clok, i made crepes and we had breakfast together. Auround 9 i made the video lesson with my class and the teacher until 10 and then i took a shower. I had luch with mom and dad. I did my homework, i read a comic and i had dinner. I saw my tv series and i went to sleep

Submitted by Carolina000 on Fri, 03/20/2020 - 13:35

My day yesterday was not very exciting: in the morning I took part in the online lessons of Italian and Latin. In the late afternoon instead I did training with my teammates and finally in the evening I watched tv and I relaxed.

Submitted by rrfalletto on Fri, 03/20/2020 - 13:35

Yesterday i was in quarantine, so my day was a little boring, because i did my homework all the time and in the evening i watched tv

Submitted by JasmineD03 on Fri, 03/20/2020 - 11:41

Yes, I did. Yesterday I go to up at 8:30 am because I had a history video lesson, at 9:30 I finished it and at 10 am I had breakfast. From 11:30 to 13 I had another Latin video lesson. At 13:30 I had lunch and ten I started to watch an episode of a Tv series on Netflix.ù After watching the TV series I went to do my homework until 4:30/5 pm. At 5 I trained with my friends in a video call. After training I made chocolate cookies with my sister and they came out very good. After I was on video call with another friends of mine and we did some homework together. Then I had dinner with my family and we all watched a movie together. Before going to sleep I took a shower, I took off my makeup and I surfed a little on social networks. Unfortunately because of the coronavirus my city is in quarantine and we cannot go out, but I still manage to have a nice day.

Submitted by beasam0109 on Fri, 03/20/2020 - 11:33

yes, i did. Yesterday I woke up at 8.30 am, went to the kitchen and had a cup of milk and some biscuits, then I brushed my teeth and took a shower, I tidy my room, I made the bed, putted the clothes in the closet. At lunch I ate with my family, after I did some homework, listened to music and prepared a chocolate cake with my mom for my brother's birthday, after dinner we saw a film together

Submitted by Desy on Fri, 03/20/2020 - 11:11

Yesterday I woke up at 8.30 am, then at 9:00 I had an online Italian lessons, and at 11:30 an Latin online lessons. At 1pm I had lunch and in the afternoon I did my English homework. At 8 pm I had dinner and then I watched TV with my brother. Finally at 11 pm I went to sleep.

Submitted by Ely on Thu, 03/19/2020 - 18:31

yesterday i woke up at 9 o' clock i had breakfast and i did my homework . at 12:30 i had lunch with my family. in the afternoon i watched the tv in the evening i had dinner with my parents and i went to bed.

Submitted by MatildePace on Thu, 03/19/2020 - 09:41

Yes, I did. Yesterday I woke up at 9 a.m., I had breakfast with coffee. Then I did my homework. After homework I took a shower. Since it was a beautiful day I went to the garden to read a book. I spent some time with my family and I called a friend of mine who I missed because I haven't seen her for a long time. Before dinner I played the guitar, I like to play the guitar because it relaxs me. After dinner I watched TV with my brother and I went to sleep.

Submitted by giorgia_marchetti on Fri, 03/20/2020 - 14:41

Yes, I did. Yesterday i woke up at 8.30 to follow a digital history lesson, after i had a breakfast and i have a shower. During the morning i tided my room. At 14.00pm i had lunch and after i did my homework. At 9pm i had dinner and i watched a film with my family. I went to bed at 11.30

In reply to by MatildePace

Submitted by _auro_ on Fri, 03/20/2020 - 14:53

Yes, I like it! Yesterday morning I had videolessons and in the afternoon I celebrated my grandfather's birthday, we (me and my family) greeted him in a video chemistry because because of the virus in circulation we cannot leave the house except for valid reasons.

In reply to by MatildePace

Submitted by Anonimo2020 on Wed, 03/18/2020 - 13:14

I was in Quarantine yesterday

Submitted by q_r65 on Thu, 09/05/2019 - 09:58

Yesterday, I learn about the grammar and a new verbs, Also a new skills in reading and talking, Such as the voice when we said a word how we spell it and write it, Also I learn a new skills in the vocab, regular verbs and grammar.

Submitted by Hamadzf on Thu, 09/05/2019 - 09:42

Yesterday I went to the college , I studied grammar. Then in 10:00 AM i came back to home . Initially i studied to IELTS Exam (Reading writing and listening) . After that i went with my family to AlAin mall for shopping some items and ate dinner . so we finished at 10:00 pm.

Submitted by h00384049 on Thu, 09/05/2019 - 09:37

Yesterday I came to college early in the morning at 8 and I finished my lectures at 2 o'clock and went home.

Submitted by fahed1233859 on Thu, 09/05/2019 - 09:37

Yesterday my friend came to visit me.
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