The simple past is used to describe an action that occurred and was completed in the past. For regular verbs, the simple past is formed by adding -ed to the base form of the verb (the infinitive without to).

Verbs ending in vowels

For regular verbs ending in the vowel -e, add -d.

Not many English verbs end in a vowel other than e. For those that do, add -ed.

Exceptions: The verbs do and go are irregular - see below.
 

Verbs ending in vowels

For regular verbs that end in a vowel + y, add -ed.

Exception: The verbs say and buy are irregular - see below.

For regular verbs that end in a consonant + y, change the -y to -i and add -ed.

Exception: The verb fly is irregular - see below.
 

Verbs ending in consonants

For regular verbs ending in short vowel sounds followed by a consonant, double the final consonant before adding -ed.

When the regular verb has more than one syllable, in American English the final consonant is doubled only when the syllable stress in on the final syllable.

Examples

The simple past tense of all regular verbs is the same for all persons.

Irregular verbs

Irregular verbs do not form the past tense by adding -ed. Irregular verbs form the past tense by a change in spelling.

Related lessons

• Pronunciation of -ed ending
   
• Verbs
• Present tense
• English letters
   

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