#12 - Simple Past - English Grammar

Simple past is used to express finished or completed actions.

Simple Past - Basic form

Add "-ed" to the verb.

Verb	Add "-ed"
Visit Walk Talk	Visited Walked Talked

For single-syllable verbs ending in a short vowel and a single consonant, double the final consonant.

Verb	Double ending consonant and add "-ed"
Slip Drop Cross	Slipped Dropped Crossed

For verbs that end in "-e", only add "-d".

Verb	Add "-d"
Dance Live Race	Danced Lived Raced

I visited my old school.
I walked to work.
He dropped his keys.
They crossed the street.
They lived in England before moving to America.
He raced on the track.

Simple Past - Additional forms

If the verb ends in a consonant + "y" (i.e. study), change the "y" to "i" and add "-ed". If the verb ends in a vowel + "y" (i.e. play), just add "-ed".

Consonant + "y" --> Consonant + "i" + "-ed"	Vowel + "y" --> Vowel + "y" + "ed"
Study --> Studied Try --> Tried Dry --> Dried	Play --> Played Stay --> Stayed Pray --> Prayed

He studied English.
She dried her clothes.
They tried dancing.
She played soccer.
We stayed home.
He prayed before eating.