Unit 2

We often use the past simple and the past continuous, the past continuous describes the longer action or situation and the past simple describes the shorter.

While I was talking to Roger, Rob ran past.

Clauses in the past continuous are often introduced by while and as.

     Somebody stole my clothes while I was swimming.  

    While I was sleeping, my sister woke up and ran away.        

    As he was watching TV, she entered the room.  

Clauses in the past simple are often introduced by when.

           He was going fast when his car hit the tree.

           When I saw him, he was talking to Helen.

          

Past simple

Positive statement

We arrived late

They bought the tickets   

The part simple positive form of regular verbs ends in ed, we add ed to the infinitive. Consult the irregular verbs list.

If the infinitive ends in a

consonant + y, we delete the y and add ied.

       

      

    study       y   =   studied

If the infinitive ends in a stressed syllable of one vowel and one consonant (not y or w) we double the consonant.

Trip                    tripped

Step                  stepped

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questions

did + infinitive

  

wh questions

Where did you go?

When did you travel?

Why did your sister come?

What did he do?

Yes/no questions

Did you go out with him?

Did David help you?

negative statements

didn’t + infinitive 

He didn’t call me.

Selena didn’t invite me to the party

We often use time adverbials with the past simple

Example:   An hour ago

             Last week

             Last Saturday