Lesson VII SIMPLE PAST: Regular and Irregular

Lesson VII

SIMPLE PAST: Regular and Irregularp. 110

(1) Simple Past expresses a one-time completed past event.

(2) Regular past tense forms end in ed. (for more details go to p. 110).

(3) Irregular past tense forms must be memorized (for more details go to p. 111, 112 and 113).

(4) Verbs with special past participle forms.The regular ends in ed while the irregular, you have to memorize them (for more details go to p.114 and p.115).

(5) Patterns for Past EventsA. Be as Main Verb.

e.g.Ted was the best student in Mr. Bobs class.Was Ted the best student in Mr. Bobs class ?Who was the best student in Mr. Bobs class ?In whose class was Ted the best student ?In which class was Ted the best student ?He wasnt a good student in economics.

B. With all Other Verbs

e.g.Ted came here a year ago.He didnt know much English then.Did he study hard?What did he study?Who helped Ted?

(6) agoIt is used only with the simple past tense. It refers to a specific time in the past. It comes at the end of the time phrase instead of at the beginning. Ago is the only word that can be used in this way. Do not use before.

e.g. Ted came to this country a year ago.I was in America three months ago.Savannah moved to College Town two days ago. Go to p.122 ex. a.

(7) Time Clausesin past time sentences are often introduced by before, after, while and when.A. Before/After express a simple sequence relationship.e.g.Ted didnt know English before he came here.He learned it after he arrived.B. While/When. While emphasizes the passage of time, duration. It contrasts with when, which can refer to punctual action, though in formal language when is often substituted for while.e.g.While Jim played the piano, Betty served the food.When the party was over, Jack took Jane home.Go to p.123 ex. c. and p.125 ex. j

(8) was/were going to + Simple Verb It is a verb phrase for expressing unfulfilled plans. It is often followed by but and an independent clause explaining why the plan abandoned.

e.g.Ted was going to major in history but he changed his mind.I was going to go to the theatre but I had a lot of homework to do.Go to p.126 ex. k.

(9) One of : introduces a noun phrase which includes a plural noun. The of indicates that one is part of a group.A. The plural noun is always modified (e.g. One of my friends,One of the best students).

B. When the phrase is the subject of a clause, the verb form is singular. It agrees with one (e.g. One of the guests was late,One of the boys is playing the guitar).

C. The possessive of is used with this type of phrase to avoid an ambiguous construction (e.g. At the home of one of my friends, In the office of one of the deans, For the benefit of one of the children).Go to p.124 ex. f. and g.

(10) None ofit differs from one of in two ways:A. It may be followed by a plural or by an uncountable.e.g.None of Teds friends.None of the food.B. When the phrase is the subject of a clause, the verb agrees in number with the noun which follows of.e.g.None of Teds friends like to go boating.None of the food is left.Go to p.124 ex. h.

(11) in, on and at againA.in often indicates the position of something surrounded. (e.g. in the cafeteria, in the dormitory).on often indicates contact with a surface. (e.g. the books on the shelf).at is often used in expressions of position to indicate proximity. (e.g. someone at the door).B. in is also used to indicate ones course of study, profession or business. (e.g. in history, in engineering, in government, etc.)Go to p.124 ex. e. and p.125 ex. i.

Go to p. 126 ex. l.

End of the Lesson