Past Simple
BasicRegular verbs add -ed; irregular verbs must be memorised.
- Past time words (last week, yesterday) go with the past simple.
- Regular verbs add ed: started, cheered, played.
- Key irregulars: go→went, see→saw, eat→ate, run→ran, win→won.
文體小知識：Actions finished in the past.
§Text Passage
1Last week, our school held a sports day on the playground. The weather was sunny and cool, so everyone was excited. The races started at nine o'clock, and the whole playground was noisy and bright. Two years ago, I was too shy to join any race. I sat under a tree and watched the others run. I promised myself that I would be braver one day.
2But this year, I joined the 100-metre race and ran as fast as I could. My legs hurt, but I did not stop. I finished third and won a small medal! My classmates cheered and clapped for me. My teacher said, 'You were great today!'
3After the races, we ate sandwiches and drank juice on the grass. We played word games and laughed a lot. Yesterday, I wrote a diary about that wonderful day, and I used many past tense verbs. Did you know that 'run' is an irregular verb, while 'finish' is a regular one? Sports day was the happiest day of this term. I will practise harder and do better next year.
§Sentence-by-sentence translation Sentence-by-sentence translation
Last week, our school held a sports day on the playground.
上星期，學校在操場舉行了運動會。
The weather was sunny and cool, so everyone was excited.
當日天晴又涼爽，個個都很興奮。
The races started at nine o'clock, and the whole playground was noisy and bright.
比賽九點開始，整個操場又吵又熱鬧。
Two years ago, I was too shy to join any race.
兩年前，我太害羞，不敢參加任何比賽。
I sat under a tree and watched the others run.
我只是坐在樹下，看着其他人跑。
I promised myself that I would be braver one day.
我對自己說，總有一天要勇敢些。
But this year, I joined the 100-metre race and ran as fast as I could.
但今年，我參加了一百米賽跑，拼盡全力地跑。
My legs hurt, but I did not stop.
我雙腳很痛，但沒有停下來。
I finished third and won a small medal!
我拿了第三名，還贏了一枚小小的獎牌！
My classmates cheered and clapped for me.
同學們個個為我歡呼拍手。
My teacher said, 'You were great today!'
老師說：'You were great today!'（你今日很棒！）
After the races, we ate sandwiches and drank juice on the grass.
比賽之後，我們坐在草地吃三文治、喝果汁。
We played word games and laughed a lot.
我們玩文字遊戲，笑個不停。
Yesterday, I wrote a diary about that wonderful day, and I used many past tense verbs.
昨天我寫了篇日記，記下那美好的一天，裡面用了很多過去式動詞。
Did you know that 'run' is an irregular verb, while 'finish' is a regular one?
你知不知道 'run' 是不規則動詞，而 'finish' 就是規則動詞？
Sports day was the happiest day of this term.
運動會是這個學期最開心的一日。
I will practise harder and do better next year.
明年我會練得更加勤，做得更加好。
1Summary 重點摘要
Regular verbs add -ed; irregular verbs must be memorised.
2Vocabulary cards Vocabulary
Last day.
Previous week.
Back in time.
Past of is/am.
Past of are.
Add -ed.
Special form.
Done.
3Step by step Steps
- StructureThe past simple shows finished actions in the past: subject plus the past form of the verb. Example: We visited the museum last Sunday. Look for past time words such as yesterday, last week or in 2020 as signals.
- RegularRegular verbs add ed, as in helped; verbs ending in e add only d, as in liked; consonant plus y becomes ied, as in studied. Example: She studied hard last night. In stressed closed syllables, double the last letter: stop became stopped.
- IrregularIrregular verbs must be memorized: go went, see saw, eat ate, take took. Example: I went to the park and saw my friends. Never add ed to an irregular verb; goed and eated are classic errors, so read aloud to remember.
- Negative and questionsUse did plus the base form: negatives take did not (didn't), and questions put Did first. Example: I did not go to school yesterday. Did you finish your homework? After did, every verb stays in its base form.
- QuestionsAsk with Did and answer with Yes, I did or No, I didn't. Example: Did you enjoy the races? Yes, I did. Did carries the past tense in the question and the short answer; give the verb its past form only in a full answer, as in I enjoyed them very much.
- was or wereThe past of be has two forms: was with singular subjects and were with plural ones. Example: The weather was sunny. The races were exciting. You always takes were, even for one person; you was is wrong.
4Diagrams Diagrams
5Worked example Example
Question: How do we write about sports day in the past simple? Cover the time, the weather, regular and irregular verbs, and a closing feeling.
- Step 1: Open with the time — Last week, our school held a sports day. Last week is a past time word, and held is the irregular past of hold.
- Step 2: Use was or were for the weather — The weather was sunny and cool. Weather is singular, so was is correct.
- Step 3: Regular verbs take ed — The races started at nine o'clock. We cheered loudly. Started and cheered are both regular forms.
- Step 4: Learn irregular verbs one by one — I ran in the relay and won a medal. Ran is the past of run, and won is the past of win.
- Step 5: Close with a feeling — It was the best day of the term. The superlative best sums up the whole exciting day.
- Answer: Sample answer: Last week, our school held a sports day. The weather was sunny, and the races started at nine. I ran in the relay and won a small medal. Everyone cheered. It was the best day of the term. Every verb is in the past tense, and time, weather, events and feeling are all covered.
6Common mistakes Mistakes
7Quick check Quick check
Q1Use?
Q2Regular ending?
Q3Correct?
Q4Past of go?
Q5Negative?
Q6Time words?
8Recap Recap
- Past time words (last week, yesterday) go with the past simple.
- Regular verbs add ed: started, cheered, played.
- Key irregulars: go→went, see→saw, eat→ate, run→ran, win→won.
- Negatives and questions use did + base form: didn't go, Did you go?
- was with singular subjects, were with plurals.