Past Tense - Irregular
Learn how to use the past tense with irregular verbs in English.
Special Lesson Activities for This Grammar Point
Past Tense - Irregular
Point 1:
We use irregular verbs for about 100 English
verbs in the affirmative. The verb changes form
from the base verb.
- I saw a ghost. (see)
- I ate a light breakfast. (eat)
- I left the car in the garage. (leave)
- I bought a new car. (bought)
Point 2:
In the negative form, the verb does not change
form. Use did not ( or didn't) +
the base verb.
- I saw a ghost, but I did not see it for very long!
- I ate a light breakfast. I did not eat eggs or toast.
- I left the car in the garage. I did not leave it locked though.
- I bought a new car. I did not buy it for me, though.
Point 3:
If a question is about the object in the past,
the verb does not change form.
- Who did you see? I saw George.
- Where did you go? I went home.
- Why did he do that? He did it for money.
- How did you sleep last night? I slept well.
Point 4:
If a question is about the subject in the past,
the verb changes to the irregular form.
- Who came to the party? Bill came to the party.
- Who did this? Susan did this.
- What broke? The vase broke.
- Who bought this? Jill bought it.
Answer the following questions about the interview.
About the Teacher
My name is Todd Beuckens and I am an ESL teacher in Thailand. I created this site to provide teachers and students free audio lessons and learning materials not usually found in commercial textbooks.