Lesson Content
English Grammar Focus
The simple past tense is used to talk about actions or events that happened in the past. Regular verbs in the past tense end in “-ed,” while irregular verbs have unique forms. The simple past is commonly used for completed actions or to describe things that happened at a specific time.
- For regular verbs, add “-ed” to the base verb.
- For irregular verbs, the past form does not follow a rule and must be memorized.
🔹 Examples:
• I walked to school yesterday. (regular verb)
• She went to the store last week. (irregular verb)
• They studied for the test. (regular verb)
• He ate dinner at 7 pm. (irregular verb)
Make sure to use the past tense to talk about things that happened already, even if the time is not mentioned. For example, “I saw that movie” is about a past experience.
Why This Grammar Matters for Listening and Speaking
Understanding the simple past tense is important for talking about past actions and events clearly in everyday situations. When you know the past tense, you can better understand and share your experiences with others.
- ✅ Talking about past events:
- “I visited Paris last year.”
- “He called me yesterday.”
• ✅ Telling stories: - “We watched a movie last night.”
- “They played soccer all afternoon.”
• ✅ Describing actions: - “I traveled to Japan last summer.”
- “She finished her homework before dinner.”
• ✅ Asking about past actions: - “What did you do last weekend?”
- “Where did they go last month?”
Using the past tense helps people understand what happened in the past, making conversations flow naturally and clearly. Knowing the right form of regular and irregular verbs helps you follow and participate in discussions, whether you’re talking about your day or asking about someone else’s past activities.
Let’s Practice
Language Game
Now, practice your language skills with these interactive games.
🎧🗣️ Listening & Speaking Practice Questions
Talk About the Past
We use the simple past tense to talk about actions and events that have already happened. These questions help you practice speaking about your past experiences, your family, and your activities. Use “I did…”, “He did…”, or “We did…” in your answers. Listen to your classmates and ask follow-up questions.
Talk About Your Day:
What did you do yesterday?
➤ For example: “I went to the park. I watched a movie.”
Weekend Activities:
What did you do last weekend?
➤ For example: “I visited my friends, and we went to the beach.”
Ask About Others:
What did your friend do last night?
➤ For example: “She studied for her exam, and he brother played video games.”
Family or Group Activities:
What did your family do last holiday?
➤ For example: “We cooked dinner together and then went for a walk.”
Travel and Trips:
Where did you go on your last trip?
➤ For example: “I went to New York, and I visited my grandparents.”
School or Work Activities:
What did you do at school or work today?
➤ For example: “I wrote a report. I met with my team.”
Fun Activities:
What did you do for fun last week?
➤ For example: “I watched a movie, and I went to a concert with the friends the next day.”