PasT SIMPLE (I DID)
A. Study this example:
Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart was an Austrian musician and composer. He lived from 1756 to 1791. He started composing at the age of five and wrote more than 600 pieces of music. He was only 35 years old when he died.
Lived/started/wrote/was/died are all past simple.
B. Very often the past simple ends in -ed (regular verbs):
* I work in a travel agency now. Before that I worked in a shop.
* We invited them to our party but they decided not to come.
* The police stopped me on my way home last night.
* She passed her examination because she studied very hard.
For spelling (stopped, studied etc.), see Appendix 6.
But many verbs are irregular. The past simple does not end in -ed. For example:
write -> wrote
* Mozart wrote more than 600 pieces of music.
see -> saw
* We saw Rose in town a few days ago.
go -> went
* I went to the cinema three times last week.
shut -> shut
* It was cold, so I shut the window.
For a list of irregular verbs, see Appendix 1.
C. In questions and negatives we use did/didn't + infinitive (enjoy/see/go etc.):
I/she/they: enjoyed/saw/went
Did: you/she/they: enjoy?/see?/go?
I/she/they: didn't: enjoy/see/go
* A: Did you go out last night?
B: Yes, I went to the cinema but I didn't enjoy the film much.
* 'When did Mr. Thomas die?' 'About ten years ago.'
* They didn't invite her to the party, so she didn't go.
* 'Did you have time to write the letter?' 'No, I didn't.'
Be careful when do is the main verb in the sentence:
* What did you do at the weekend? (not 'what did you at the weekend')
* I didn't do anything. (not 'I didn't anything')
D. The past of be (am/is/are) is was/were:
I/he/she/it was/wasn't
we/you/they were/weren't
was I/he/she/it?
were we/you/they?
Note that we do not use did in negatives and questions with was/were:
* I was angry because they were late.
* Was the weather good when you were on holiday?
* They weren't able to come because they were so busy.
* Did you go out last night or were you too tired?
EXERCISES
5.1 Read what Sharon says about a typical working day:
SHARON
I usually get up at 7 o'clock and have a big breakfast. I walk to work, which takes me about half an hour. I start work at 8.45. I never have lunch. I finish work at 5 o'clock. I'm always tired when I get home. I usually cook a meal in the evening. I don't usually go out. I go to bed at about 11 o'clock. I always sleep well.
Yesterday was a typical working day for Sharon. Write she did or didn't do yesterday.
1. She got up at 7 o'clock.
2. She ____ a big breakfast.
3. She ____.
4. It ____ to get to work.
5. ____ at 8.45.
6. ____ lunch.
7. ____ at 5 o'clock.
8. ____ tired when ____ home.
9. ____ a meal yesterday evening.
10. ____ out yesterday evening.
11. ____ at 11 o'clock.
12. ____ well last night.
5.2 Put one of these verbs in each sentence:
buy catch cost drink fall hurt sell spend teach throw win write
1. Mozart wrote more than 600 pieces of music.
2. 'How did you learn to drive?' 'My father ____ me.'
3. We couldn't afford to keep our car, so we ____ it.
4. I was very thirsty. I ____ the water very quickly.
5. Paul and I played tennis yesterday. He's much better than me, so he ____ easily.
6. Don ____ down the stairs this morning and ____ his lag.
7. Jim ____ the ball to Sue, who ____ it.
8. Ann ____ a lot of money yesterday. She ____ a dress which ____ $100.
5.3 A friend has just come back from holiday. You ask him about it. Write your questions.
1. (where/go?) Where did you go?
2. (go alone?) ____
3. (food/good?) ____
4. (how long/stay there?) ____
5. (stay/at a hotel?) ____
6. (how/travel?) ____
7. (the weather/fine?) ____
8. (what/do in the evenings?) ____
9. (meet anybody interesting?) ____
5.4 Comlete the sentences. Put the verb into the correct form, positive or negative.
1. It was warm, so I __ off my coat. (take)
2. The film wasn't very good. I didn't -- it very much. (enjoy)
3. I knew Sarah was very busy, so I ____ her. (disturb)
4. I was very tired, so I ____ to bed early. (go)
5. The bed was very uncomfortable. I ____ very well. (sleep)
6. Sue wasn't hungry, so she ____ anything. (eat)
7. We went to Kate's house but she ____ at home. (be)
8. It was a funny situation but nobody ____ (laugh)
9. The window was open and a bird ____ into the room. (fly)
10. The hotel wasn't very expensive. It ____ very much. (cost)
11. I was in a hurry, so I ____ time to phone you. (have)
12. It was hard work carrying the bags. They ____ very heavy. (be)
