Level Two
Lesson 23
the past tense
The past tense is used for things that happened yesterday, this morning, a week ago, last year, 10,000 years ago, or a few minutes ago.
I made this video many years ago, but it still provides simple instruction for the past tense.
The Past Tense in English
There are two types of verbs to think about when forming the past tense: regular verbs and irregular verbs.
23a. the past tense - regular verbs
Regular verbs adds “ed” to the end of the verb in the past tense.
work / worked / worked / working
Singular
I worked
You worked
He worked.
She worked.
It worked.
Plural
We worked.
You worked.
They worked.
23a. Examples
- Walter and Maria worked yesterday.
- Maria also worked on the weekend.
- They work for a hotel. (present tense).
Irregular verbs in English do not normally have “ed” endings. You have to remember what they are in the past tense. For example, the verb “eat” in the past tense becomes “ate.” The verb “go” in the past tense becomes “went.”
23b. the past tense - irregular verbs
Irregular verbs do not add an “ed” in the past tense.
It’s important to memorize how irregular verbs change.
swim / swam / swum / swimming
Singular
I swam.
You swam.
He swam.
She swam.
It swam.
Plural
We swam.
You swam.
They swam.
23b. Examples
- The otter swam to the other side of the pond.
- He found a frog to eat.
- He ate the frog.
swim / swam
find / found
eat / ate
it’s necessary to remember how irregular verbs change from one form to another. You can find a list of irregular verbs by clicking here.
These things happened in the past:
- I woke up early this morning and prepared breakfast.
- We visited the Minnesota State Capitol last week.
- Mario traveled to Europe last year and visited six different countries.
- The sun rose this morning at 6:10 a.m.
- The American Revolution started in 1776.
- Sophia had a great time at her birthday party last weekend.
The word “ago” is often used when talking about past activities:
- Edgar had lunch an hour ago.
- The United States became a country almost 250 years ago.
- Our class began ten minutes ago.
We visited the Weisman Art Museum in Minneapolis a few days ago.
past tense verbs (PDF)
Part A. Directions: Change the simple form of each regular verb to the past tense.
1. They _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ there for five years. (live)
2. Marjorie _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ into a new apartment. (move)
3. A worker _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ his car outside our house. (park)
4. The students _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ to their next class. (walk)
5. Hard work and practice _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ my guitar playing. (improve)
6. The store _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ on time. (open)
7. Matthew _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ a new flavor of ice cream. (try)
8. The two teams _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ each other last month. (play)
9. The woman _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ when her cat died. (cry)
10. The boy _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ himself in the store. (behave)
Part B. Directions: Change the simple form of each irregular verb to the past tense.
1. Oscar _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ to a movie. (go)
2. The water in the bucket _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _. (freeze)
3. The girl _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ a sandwich during lunch. (eat)
4. A dog _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ across the street. (run)
5. The caterpillar _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ a butterfly. (become)
6. The thunderstorm _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ after sunset. (begin)
7. I _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ myself while shaving. (cut)
8. Myra _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ late to work this morning. (be)
9. The mail carrier _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ the mail in the mailbox. (put)
10. The customers _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ coffee with their breakfast. (have)
In Lesson Twenty-four, you will learn how to make the past tense negative.
This page was updated July 23, 2024.
