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Past Simple Versus Past Continuous

The document provides information on the past simple and past continuous tenses in English. It explains: - The past simple is used for completed actions at a specific time in the past or habitual past actions. Example conjugations are given. - The past continuous is used for actions that were ongoing or in progress at a time in the past. Example uses include describing background events or two simultaneous past actions. - Common time expressions that are used with these tenses are also listed. An exercise is provided to practice spelling and pronunciation rules for adding "-ed" to form the past simple.

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Ziba Rezai Sepasi
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126 views

Past Simple Versus Past Continuous

The document provides information on the past simple and past continuous tenses in English. It explains: - The past simple is used for completed actions at a specific time in the past or habitual past actions. Example conjugations are given. - The past continuous is used for actions that were ongoing or in progress at a time in the past. Example uses include describing background events or two simultaneous past actions. - Common time expressions that are used with these tenses are also listed. An exercise is provided to practice spelling and pronunciation rules for adding "-ed" to form the past simple.

Uploaded by

Ziba Rezai Sepasi
Copyright
© Attribution Non-Commercial (BY-NC)
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
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PAST SIMPLE versus PAST CONTINUOUS FORM PAST SIMPLE A: Subj. + verb + ed (regular verbs) : She worked; Subj.

+ irregular verb (check list) He swam in the sea. I: Did + subj. + inf.? Yes, subj. + did// No, subj. + didnt. Did Mary work at MacDonalds? Yes, she did// No, she didnt N: Subj. + did not (didnt) + inf. He didnt swim in the sea. A) For actions completed in the past at a definite time. The time is given or it may even be asked about. I met him yesterday. When did you meet him? Shakespeare wrote a lot of plays. He worked in that bank for four years. b) For a past habit He always carried an umbrella. c) In conditional sentences type 2 If I were you, I would study hard. She wouldnt listen if you spoke to her. d) For past actions which happened one after the other. To tell a story. She sealed the letter, put a stamp on it and posted it. PAST CONTINUOUS A: Subj. + was/were + v-ing Susan was cleaning her room. The Parkers were having lunch. I: Was/Were + subj. + v-ing? Yes,subj + was/were; No, subj. + wasnt/werent. Was Susan cleaning her room? Yes, she was// No, she wasnt N: Subj.+ was not (wasnt)/ were not (werent) + v-ing The Parkers were not (werent) having lunch A) Action in the middle of happening at a stated past time. He was playing tennis at 4.30 yesterday. b) Past action in progress interrupted by another past action. The longer action is in the past continuous; the shorter is in the past simple While I was having a shower, the phone rang. c) two or more simultaneous actions Tom was studying while Peter was watering the plants. Or background description to events in a story. She was flying to London. The sun was shining d) Gradual development It was getting darker. e) Past equivalent of the present continuous While When as

USE

TIME EXPRESSIONS

Yesterday This morning/afternoon Last week/year/month Then When In 2009 How long ago Ago

NOTE: The past continuous cannot be used with all verbs. Check the list of stative verbs.

PAST SIMPLE. SPELLING ED We add ed to the infinitive to form the past simple tense of regular verbs To work He worked. Verbs ending in e add d only. To love- She loved. The same form is used for all persons. I worked, you worked, he/she/it worked The rules about doubling the final consonant when adding ing apply also when adding ed Admit, admitted; stop- stopped; travel-travelled Verbs ending in y following a consonant change the y into i before adding ed. Carry, carried; try-tried But y following a vowel does not change Obey, obeyed; pray-prayed; play-played PRONUNCIATION ED -ed has three pronunciations a) /id/ after /t,d/ want-wanted; need-needed. b) /t/after /k, s, sh, p, ch/: work-worked; miss-missed; wash-washed; stop-stopped; watchwatched. c) /d/ after other sounds: smile-smiled EXERCISE on SPELLING AND PRONUNCIATION Add ed to the following verbs. Then classify them into the right column according to their pronunciation like, cry, play,dance, stop, fry, smile, rob, travel, try, pray, stay, live, prefer, empty, destroy, land, look, correct, start, slip, smash, decorate, cook, offer, collect, dress, prepare, water, iron, suggest, clean. /id/ /t/ /d/

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