2.

2 Past simple: regular

and irregular verbs
When do we use the Past Simple?
We use the Past Simple to talk about actions and situations that
finished in the past. We often mention when these actions/
situations happened.

It rained in the city yesterday, but in the

mountains it snowed.

We took a lot of water with us when we

went to the desert two weeks ago.

Did you see the lightning? I didn’t see it,

but the noise of the storm woke me up.

Copyright © 2020 by Pearson Education      Wider World 3

 Find the Past Simple forms in this text. How many
are regular? How many are irregular?

Last winter, we went on holiday to the mountains.

It snowed a lot during the week of our holiday, and
on the last day, an avalanche fell on some people
from our hotel. It all happened very fast. Luckily, a
team of emergency workers found them and got
them out of the snow. Nobody died, but it really
scared me.

There are four regular Past Simple forms. Look!

There are four irregular Past Simple forms.

Copyright © 2020 by Pearson Education      Wider World 3

How do we make the Past Simple of
regular and irregular verbs?
Past Simple: regular verbs Past Simple: irregular verbs

She sailed through a big storm. I saw a storm two days ago.

She didn’t sail in the Atlantic last year. I didn’t see any lightning. Time expressions
yesterday
Did she sail to the island yesterday? Did you see the storm in 2017? two hours/days/weeks/years ago
last week/year/night
in 2001
Some verbs have a Some verbs are
regular Past Simple form: irregular. You have to
happen – happened learn their Past
move – moved Simple form.
study – studied
travel – travelled

Copyright © 2020 by Pearson Education      Wider World 3

 Practice Time
Complete the sentences with the correct form of
the verbs in brackets.

1. I visited (visit) my aunt in August.

2. saw
I last _______________ (see) a rainbow two weeks ago.

3. rained
It _______________ (rain) a lot last summer.

4. took
I _______________ (take) a lot of photos on holiday.

5. studied
I _______________ (study) for the Maths test last night.

6. had
Amber _______________ (have) fried eggs for breakfast.

Copyright © 2020 by Pearson Education      Wider World 3