Transcript Verb Tense: The Simple Past

Verb Tense:
The Simple Past
Created by Kathryn Reilly
Verb Tense Background
• Verbs change their form to allow writers to
accurately describe events.
• Verbs alert the reader if the action is in the
past, present or future.
• Within these three main time frames, actions
can be further broken down.
The Simple Past
• The simple past tense indicates an action that has
happened.
• The simple past may refer to an event that occurred
yesterday or 400 years ago.
• The simple past is often used to show the action in stories.
• Regular verb forms in the simple past end in –ed.
• Negative sentences using the simple past will need an
auxiliary verb.
The Simple Past Examples
Positive Sentence Examples (no auxiliary verb):
I lived in Maryland.
Dana owned a dog.
The dog barked often.
We sung holiday songs.
Negative Sentence Examples (auxiliary verb):
I did not live in Maryland.
The dog did not bark often.
Be Aware…
• …when using the simple past, some verb forms
will change their spelling instead of ending in –
ed.
• I sung in choir last week. (not singed)
• Mary ate pizza yesterday. (not eated)
• The baby stood for the first time. (not standed)