Past Simple by

Rules for Regular Verbs

mnirl14 — 2025-10-20 22:04:43 UTC

Add -ed:
For most verbs, add -ed to the end of the base form.
- Example: walk -> walked, play -> played.
- Add -d:
  If the verb already ends in -e, just add -d.
  - Example: live -> lived, smile -> smiled.
- Change -y to -ied:
  If the verb ends in a consonant followed by -y, change the -y to -i and add -ed.
  - Example: cry -> cried, try -> tried.

Rules for Irregulars Verbs

mnirl14 — 2025-10-20 22:13:10 UTC

The main rule is that they do not follow the standard pattern of adding "ed". To form the simple past, you must learn the correct past tense form for each verb, as found in a dictionary or verb list.

Patterns of change for irregular verbs:

Complete change: The verb changes completely from its base form ( go becomes went).
No change: The verb form stays the same in the simple past tense ( put stays put, cost stays cost)
Vowel change: The vowel in the middle of the verb changes ( sing becomes sang)
Other changes: Some verbs change in other ways, such as teach becoming taught or find becoming found.

Examples

mnirl14 — 2025-10-20 22:14:28 UTC

mnirl14 — 2025-10-20 22:16:02 UTC

mnirl14 — 2025-10-20 22:17:34 UTC