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In this chapter, we talk about the simple and progressive verb forms.
The regular simple past verbs end in –ed.
The progressive verbs end in –ing.
Let's talk about the spelling rules for these verb forms.
Be careful! If a verb ends in –ee, do not drop the final –e. The verbs agreeing and agreed still have two
e's.
Second rule:
For verbs that end in one vowel followed by one consonant, we double the consonant.
For example, stop ends with one vowel, o, and one consonant, p, so we need to use two p's.
stop - stopping - stopped
If the verb ends with –w or –x, do not double the consonant. The verbs showed and showing have only
one w. The verbs fixed and fixing have only one x.
Now let's look at two syllable words. The spelling rules are a little tricky.
For two-syllable words, listen for the stressed syllable. The stressed syllable sounds longer than the
unstressed syllable. Is the first or second syllable stressed in the verb happen? Listen again. Happen. It's
the first syllable, right?
Listen to the pronunciation if the second syllable has stress: ha- PPEN. That's a little strange, isn't it?
How about the verb offer? Offer. Again, the first syllable is stressed. Offer.
When the first syllable is stressed, do not change the verb. Just add –ing or –ed.
happen - happening - happened
offer - offering - offered
listen - listening - listened
How about the verb regret? Which syllable is stressed? Listen again. Regret.
The second syllable is stressed. The second syllable is also stressed in a word prefer. Can you hear the
word stress? Prefer.
But if a consonant comes before the –y, change the –y to –i and then add –ed. Do not change the –y
before –ing.
study - studying - studied
try - trying - tried
For verbs that end in –ie, change the –ie to –y and add –ing. For the regular past tense form, do not
change the spelling. Just add the letter –d.
tie - tying - tied
lie - lying - lied
I hope you enjoyed your first lesson. Keep practicing! See you again soon.