2. The simple past:
is used to describe an
action that occurred
and was completed in
the past.
3. Base form + ed Simple Past
WALK
→ WALKED
PUSH
→ PUSHED
GREET
→ GREETED
COVER
→ COVERED
•For regular verbs, the simple past is formed by
adding -ed
to the base form of the verb (infinitive with out to).
4. The simple past tense of all
regular verbs is the same
for all persons.
I → worked yesterday.
YOU → worked yesterday.
HE, SHE, IT → worked yesterday
WE → worked yesterday.
THEY → worked yesterday.
5. For regular verbs ending in
the vowel -e, add -d.
Base form
Hate
Seize
Hope
Assume
Tie
Free
Simple past
Hated
Seized
Hoped
Assumed
Tied
Freed
6. For the very few English verbs
that end in a vowel other than -
e, add -ed.
Base form simple past
Ski skied
echo echoed
Exceptions
The verbs DO and GO are irregular
7. For regular verbs that end in a
vowel + y, add -ed.
Base form simple past
play played
decay decayed
survey surveyed
enjoy enjoyed
Exceptions
The verbs SAY and BUY are irregular
8. For regular verbs that end in
a consonant +y, change the -
y to -i and add -ed.
Base form simple past
Cry cried
Dirty dirtied
Ready readied
Magnify magnified
Exception
The verb FLY because is
irregular
9. For regular verbs ending in short vowel
sounds followed by a consonant, double the
final consonant before adding -ed.
Base form simple past
Dam dammed
Beg begged
Sin sinned
Stop stopped
Rub rubbed
Do not double final w or x
Sew sewed
Mix mixed
