The Past Tense

When did it happen? How long did it take? Master your use of the past tenses!

Course Outcome

Students will be able to correctly use: the Be Verb, Regular Verbs, and Irregular Verbs in statements, questions, negatives, and short answers. Students will be able to recognize and use key words, such as Last, Yesterday, and Ago, as well as situations that require the Simple Past. Students will be able to correctly use Time Clauses including When, Before, After, and While in the Simple Past and Past Progressive. Finally, students will understand the difference between and be able to use Used to and Would.

Lessons

Grammar Explanation of the BE Verb and Regular Verbs in the Simple Past Tense

Watch this in-depth explanation contrasting the structure of the BE Verb and Regular Verbs in the Simple Past. The video gives examples of statements, Yes/No questions, short answers, WH questions, and negatives for both the Be Verb and Regular Verbs.

Simple Past Usage Rules

Watch this short video on how to use the Simple Past with the Be Verb, Regular and Irregular Verbs. This video includes different situations that show when to use the Simple Past. A copy of the explanation is just below the video.

BE Statements in the Simple Past

Practice using the BE Verb in the Simple Past with both first and third person subjects, such as I, you, he, she, it, we, and they.

The BE Verb in the Negative in the Simple Past

Practice the BE Verb in the Simple Past using the negative structures of wasn't and weren't.

Yes/No Questions with the BE Verb in the Simple Past

Practice asking Yes/No Questions with Was and Were in the Simple Past Tense.

Short Answers with the BE Verb in the Simple Past

Practice answering Yes/No questions with the BE Verb in the Simple Past Tense.

WH Questions with the BE Verb in the Simple Past Tense

Practice asking WH Questions including who, what, why, when, where, and how with the BE Verb in the Simple Past Tense.

The Negative - Regular and Irregular Verbs in the Past

Practice forming the negative with both regular and irregular verbs.

Yes/No Questions with Regular Verbs in the Simple Past Tense.

Practice asking Yes/No Questions with regular verbs in the Simple Past Tense.

Yes/No Questions with Irregular Verbs in the Simple Past

Practice Yes/No Questions with Irregular verbs, such as buy, catch, bring, etc. in the Simple Past.

Short Answers with Regular and Irregular Verbs in the Simple Past Tense

Practice answering Yes/No Questions in the Simple Past with both Regular and Irregular Verbs.

Mixed Yes/No Questions in the Simple Past

Practice asking Yes/No Questions with the BE Verb, Regular Verbs and Irregular Verbs.

Mixed Short Answers in the Simple Past Tense

In this challenging drill, practice answering Yes/No Questions with the BE Verb, Regular Verbs and Irregular Verbs.

Wh Questions with Regular Verbs in the Simple Past

Practice asking WH Questions with Regular Verbs in the Simple Past Tense.

WH Questions with Irregular Verbs in the Simple Past

Practice WH Questions: Who, What, Why, When, Where, and How in the Simple Past.

Last, Yesterday, and Ago

Practice the past tense markers Last, Yesterday, and Ago with the corresponding time words.

The Past Progressive Grammar Explanation

Watch this video for a brief summary of the Simple Past tense before moving on to an in-depth explanation of the Past Progressive.

Statements in the Past Progressive

Practice forming affirmative and negative statements in the Past Progressive.

Yes/No Questions with the Past Progressive

Practice asking Yes/No Questions with the Past Progressive

WH Questions in the Past Progressive

Practice asking WH Questions in the Past Progressive.

Time Clauses with the Simple Past and Past Progressive

Practice the Simple Past and Past Progressive with the adverbials of time: Before, After, When, As soon As, and While.

Used to vs. Would Part Grammar Video Explanation Part 1

Watch this video for a complete explanation of the differences between Used to and Would in their usage as well as their structure. Be sure to review the attached list of non-action verbs just below this presentation before viewing the video. Non-action verbs are used only with Used to - not Would. (English Workouts apologizes; the first video presentation was cut off at the end. It is continued in the second video.)

Used to vs. Would Part Grammar Video Explanation Part II

This video completes Used to vs. Would Part I.

Used to vs. Would

Practice Used to & Would with action and non-action verbs in various situations.

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