The Verb Phrase - Part 1 - Past Tense
We use words to communicate information, how we feel, and instructions. The ability to communicate clearly and correctly happens when we know how to use words powerfully. Last time on Grammar time we reviewed the basic sentence structure, which is Subject-Verb-Object (SVO). A sentence is not complete without a verb, and the verb gives time and context to the sentence. Remember a verb conveys “action.”
- Physical action ~ to type, to bike, to cook
- Mental action - to ponder, to contemplate, to guess
- State of being - to be, to become, to feel
A verb gives context as to when the action happened, whether it was in the past, present, or future. The focus for today is Past Tense.
Adverbials of Time:
Yesterday
Last week
The year before last
In 1960
Adverbials are a word or phrase functioning like an adverb. When using an adverbial of time, you must use the past tense form of the verb.
Ex: They moved to a new apartment last week. Correct
They move to a new apartment last week. Incorrect.
Yesterday she opened a savings account. Correct.
Yesterday she opens a savings account. Incorrect
How do you use past tense verbs? Grammar Tip From #TheWriteCoach @Joyce_Glass
Click to Tweet
Tense of the Verb:
The form of the verb is referred to as tense, and the meaning of the verb is expressed as the time of the action or the state. In the examples above, the past tense verb form is used, because the time expressed is in the past. You create the past tense in writing of most verbs in English by adding the -ed to the infinitives.
looked
clasped
poured
seemed
sewed
headed
There are always exceptions to the rules. The joys of learning the English language, and why so many of us remain confused even after college!
Variations In Past Tense Spelling
The past tense verb form continues to end with -ed, but there is a variation in spelling of the infinitive.
Doubling a final consonant:
slap -> slapped
Dropping the final -e:
hope -> hoped
Changing the final y to i:
carry -> carried
Past Tense verb form ending with a -t rather than -ed and often change the vowel:
bought
left
sent
bent
felt
meant
In American English, the most common form used is -ed, however, both are grammatically correct.
Some verbs are correct using both past tense forms, -ed and -t:
spilled, spilt
burned, burnt
spoiled, spoilt
Regular and Irregular Verbs:
Typically verbs ending in -ed are classified as Regular Verbs and all others as Irregular Verbs.
Examples of Irregular Verbs:
Actions in the past may be indicated it occurred on one or more specific occasions or it occurred habitually:
Three Main Uses Of The Past Tense In English:
1. To express actions and states in past time.
Ex. Colleen drove to work this morning.
The cat drank the milk.
Everyone remained seated.
The bus driver seemed unhappy
2. To express past truths which are no longer valid and habitual actions
no longer occurring.
Ex. At one time, the earth was believed to be flat.
I always went to the library in college to study.
3. To preserve tense sequence even though the state named is still in effect.
Ex. She believes everyone is dishonest.
She believed everyone was dishonest.
He says he knows the code.
He said he knew the code.
Are you still tensed up? RELAX! You have this! Don’t let the past ruin your present! You stepped up your game learning how to write better!
Do you have a grammar question?
Please post in the Facebook comments below.
Watch Facebook LIVE Post!
What is your biggest
struggle with grammar?
Share your answer in
the Facebook Comments below!
Facebook Comments
