Link to download video of Lesson 11. Past Tense regular verbs

The regular verbs are only truly mastered when you learn how to pronounce the –ed sound.

Lesson 11 Past Tense Regular Verbs FITA course.docx

In this lesson, we will take a look at the regular verbs. We’ll study the irregular verbs in the next one. 

Theoretically, an upper-intermediate student should be completely familiar with the past tense in English, although, in practice, most students have trouble dealing with this tense, especially when trying to pronounce the –ed of the regular verbs and the irregular forms.

To correct these problems, we are going to extensively practise both the regular verbs (this lesson) and the irregular verbs (in the next lesson).

What are regular verbs?

These are verbs that end in –ed. (*)

Simple past tense- Structure for regular and irregular verbs

• Affirmative: Subject + regular verb+ object . Example: I talked to her yesterday.
• Negative: Subject + didn’t (did not)+ infinitive of the verb without “to”(**) + object. Example: I didn’t talk to her yesterday.
• Question:  Did+ subject+ infinitive of the verb without to + object? Example: Did you talk to her yesterday?
• Negative questions (***): Did + not + subject + infinitive of the verb without to + object? Example: Didn’t you talk to her yesterday?
• Answers: Yes, + subject + did- No, +subject didn’t. Examples: Yes,  I did. No I didn’t.

(*) The ending –ed also appears in adjectives (It’s a closed subject- adjective “closed”) and the past participle of the verbs (He has worked a lot- “worked” past participle of the verb “to work”).

(**) Remember that when we use did, the main verb always goes in INFINITIVE.

(***) When we speak, we always make a contraction in negative questions. Example: Didn’t you go? Not: Did not you go?

When do we use this tense?

When we want to speak about finished actions that took place in the past.

Examples: 

• She wanted to buy a car last year.  Ella quería comprar un coche el año pasado. (“She wanted” is a finished action that took place in the past, ”last year”)
• They considered hiring him, but now they have problems with the budget. Consideraron contratarlo, pero ahora tienen problemas con el presupuesto. (Finished action ”They considered”)

When do we use this tense?

When we want to speak about finished actions that took place in the past.

Examples: 

• She wanted to buy a car last year.  Ella quería comprar un coche el año pasado. (“She wanted” is a finished action that took place in the past, ”last year”)
• They considered hiring him, but now they have problems with the budget. Consideraron contratarlo, pero ahora tienen problemas con el presupuesto. (Finished action ”They considered”)

How to pronounce the past tense of the regular verbs

We have already talked about the sounds of the regular verbs in Lesson 3. But now, since you need to master these sounds, we’ll go over them to make sure you understand and can reproduce them correctly.

All the grammar books give several rules about how to pronounce the –ed sound of the regular verbs, but, seeing as how there are so many, they are difficult to remember.

Instead of remembering all these rules, I will ask you to remember just one:

Do not pronounce the “e” of the –ed ending, just try to say “d” without adding any vowel sound.

 

If you do this, you will naturally come up with the right sounds for the past tense of the regular verbs.

Why is this so?

Because when you try to say a “d” without saying the “e”, you need to put your mouth in certain positions depending on what letter you have before the “e”.

For example: If you need to say “talk”-/tok/ your last letter is a “k”. If you try to pronounce a “d” after the “k” without making any vowel sound, you’ll get a “t”.

• Talked sounds “tokT”

For all of you who want to have a more detailed explanation of the –ed sounds, we’ll go a little bit deeper into the subject.

The three different sounds of -ed

The regular verbs can have three different sounds in the ending:

1) D  2) ID and 3) T

As I said before, they take different sounds depending on the sound that comes before the –ed sound.

Let’s see the different sounds.

1) D

The verbs that end in– l – v – n – m – r – b – v – g – w – y – z –  vowel sounds and diphthongs use the “D” sound.

Examples:
advised /advissd/- aconsejar
agreed /agrid/- acordar
allowed /alaud/- permitir
answered /anserd/- responder
appeared/apird/- aparecer
arrived/araivd/- llegar
believed/bilivd/- creer
belonged /bilongd/-pertenecer
burned/bernd/- quemar
called/kold/-llamar
carried/karid/- transportar
changed /cheinchd/- cambiar
cleaned/klind/- limpiar
closed /kloussd/- cerrar
covered/koverd/-cubrir
cried/kraid/-llorar
damaged /damechd/- dañar
described /deskraibd-describir
died /daid/-morir
dried /draid/- secar
earned /ernd/-ganar (dinero)
encouraged /enkerechd/-animar
enjoyed /enyoid/-disfrutar
entered /enterd/-entrar
explained /ekspleind/-explicar
explored /eksplord/-explorar
filled /fild/-cumplimentar-llenar
followed /foloud/-seguir
happened /hapend/-ocurrir
interviewed /interviud/-entrevistar
imagined /imachind/-imaginar
jailed /cheild/-encarcelar
killed /kild/-matar
listened /listend/-escuchar
lived /livd/-vivir
loved /lovd/-amar
measured /mesherd/-medir
moved /muvd/-mover
opened /opend/-abrir
planned /pland/-planificar
played /pleid/-jugar
performed /performd/-actuar
pulled /puld/-tirar
realised /rialaisd/-darse cuenta
remembered /rimemberd/-recordar
rained /reind/-llover
repaired /riperd/-arreglar, reparar
saved /seivd/-ahorrar
shared /sherd/-compartir
shaved /sheivd/-afeitar
showed /shoud/-mostrar
signed /saignd/-firmar
slammed /slamd/-dar un golpe fuerte
stayed/ssteid/quedarse, alojarse
snowed/ssnoud/-nevar
studied/sstadid/-estudiar
tried/traid/-intentar
travelled/traveld/-viajar
turned/ternd/-girar
used /iusd/-usar
welcomed/wuelkomd/-dar la bienvenida
whispered /wuisperd/-murmurar
worried/wuorid/-preocupar
yawned/iond/-botezar

2) ID

Verbs that end in -t or d use the “ID” sound.

Examples:

afforded/afordid/-permitirse
attended/atendid/-asistir
arrested/arestid/-arrestar
collected/kolektid/-recoger
contacted/kontaktid/-contactar
counted/kauntid/-contar
decided/disaidid/-decidir
defended /defendid/-defender
demanded /demandid/-pedir
divided/divaidid/-dividir
ended /endid/-acabar
expanded/ekspandid/-expandir
expected /ekspektid/-esperar
exported /eksportid/-exportar
flooded /flodid/-inhundado
graduated /graduetid/-graduarse, licenciar
hated /heitid/-odiar
hunted /hantid/-cazar
included /inkludid/-incluir
invited /invaitid/- invitar
invented /inventid/-inventar
landed /landid/- aterrizar
needed /nidid/-necesitar
painted /peintid/-pintar
planted /plantid/-plantar
printed /printid/-imprimir
presented /presentid/-presentar
pretended /pretendid/-pretender
protected /protektid/-proteger
provided /provaidid/-suministrar, proveer
rented /rentid/-alquilar
repeated /ripitid/-repetir
reported /riportid/-informar
respected /respektid/-respetar
rested /restid/-descansar
scolded /sskoldid/-regañar
skated /sskeitid/-patinar
started /sstartid/-empezar
shouted /shautid/-gritar
treated /tritid/-tratar
visited /visitid/-visitar
waited /wuetid/-esperar
wanted /wuantid/-querer
wasted /wuestid/-desperdiciar, malgastar

3) T

Verbs that end in – p – k – s – ch – sh – f –gh- x – h –, use the “T” sound.

Examples:
Ed as “T”
Asked/akst/-preguntar, pedir
baked/beikt/- hornear
brushed /brasht/-cepillar
cooked/kukt/-cocinar
cracked/krakt/-agreitarse
crashed/krasht/-chocar
danced /danst/-bailar
dressed/drest/-vestirse
dropped/dropt/-dejar caer
escaped /eskeipt/-escapar
finished /finisht/-terminar
fixed/fixt/-arreglar
guessed /guest/-suponer
helped /helpt/-ayudar
hoped /houpt/-esperar
hiked /haikt/-caminar
Joked /choukt/-bromear
jumped /champt/-saltar
knocked /nokt/-golpear, tocar a la puerta
kissed /kist/-besar
laughed /laft/-reir
locked /lokt/-cerrar con llave
looked /lukt/-mirar
missed /mist/-echar de menos
mixed /mixt/- mezclar
packed /pakt/- empaquetar
passed /past/- pasar
picked /pikt/-recoger
pressed /prest/-presionar
pushed /pusht/-empujar
pronounced /pronaunst/-pronunciar
relaxed /relakst/-relajar
slipped /sslipt/-resbalar
smoked /smoukt/-fumar
stopped /sstopt/-parar
shopped /shopt/-comprar
talked/tokt/-hablar
typed /taipt/-escribir a máquina
walked /wuokt/-caminar
washed/wuasht/-lavar
watched/wuacht/-mirar algo que se mueve
worked/wuorkt/-trabajar

Chapter 8 Dorian Gray bilingual.docxPlease, go to chapter 8 of your audiobook now and listen to it at least two times then read it.

Download chapter 8 The Picture of Dorian Gray. The Choice is made.

Chapter 8 Dorian Gray bilingual.docx

As you’ll see, I have highlighted the regular verbs in grey.

 

Chapter 8 The choice is made “I can’t bear the idea that my soul is horrible” It was later than mid-day when he woke up.  His servant rang the little bell and entered the room with a cup of tea and some letters. “Sir has slept well tonight” he said, smiling. “What time is it?” Asked Dorian, drowsily. “A quarter past one, sir.” “How late!” He sat down and after having a few sips of tea, he dealt with his letters. One of the letters was from Lord Henry. It had been delivered by hand that morning. He hesitated for a moment and then put it to one side, without reading it. He got dressed, entered the library and sat down to have a light breakfast at a small round table near the open window. It was a marvellous day. Suddenly, he saw the screen in front of the portrait and he jumped. Was it all true?  Had the portrait really changed? It was absurd! He got up and locked the door. He wanted to be alone to contemplate the mask of his shame. Then he removed the screen and looked himself in the face. It was absolutely true.  The portrait had changed, but he thought he could still rectify it.  Sibyl Vane could still be his wife. Suddenly, the doorbell rang and he heard Lord Henry’s voice outside. “I am sorry Dorian” said Lord Henry as he entered. “But you shouldn’t think too much about it.” “Are you referring to Sibyl Vane?” Asked the young man. “Yes, of course” replied Lord Henry.  “It’s horrible, but it wasn’t your fault. Tell me, did you go to see her after the play finished?” “Yes.” “I was sure.” “I was brutal, Harry, terribly brutal. But now everything is fine. I don’t regret anything that happened.  It has taught me to know myself better.” “Ah, Dorian, I am pleased that you are dealing with it this way.” “I am happy.  I want to be good. I can’t bear the idea that my soul is horrible. I will marry Sibyl Vane.” “Marry Sibyl Vane!” Exclaimed Lord Henry, standing up. “Haven’t you received my letter?” “Your letter? Ah, yes. No, I haven’t read it yet, Harry.” “So you know nothing?” “What are you trying to say?” Lord Henry crossed the room, and sitting next to Dorian Gray, he took his hands and squeezed them tightly. “Dorian, Sibyl Vane has died.” “Died! Sibyl is dead! It isn’t true! It’s a horrible lie! How dare you say that?” “It’s completely true, Dorian” said Lord Henry, gravely. “They found her last night in the theatre. It seems that she took something.” “I have killed Sibyl Vane!” Said Dorian Gray, who got up and sat down next to Lord Henry. “She will never come back to life” murmured the young man, hiding his face in his hands. “She will never come back to life. She has played her last role” said Lord Henry. “But it wasn’t your fault. “The truth is, that girl has never really lived, and so she has never really died.” For you at least, it has always been a dream. Sibyl Vane was less real than Juliet. “How well you know me!” We are not going to speak any more about the event.  I will remember this love as a wonderful experience.  That is all.” “Forget all about it, Dorian and come with me and my sister to the opera tonight.” “Yes, I think I will meet you there. I am too tired to eat anything.” “So, see you later.  I will see you before nine-thirty.” When he was alone, Dorian went back to uncover the picture. No, there were no more changes in the image. The portrait knew about Sibyl Vane’s death before him. The cruelty around the mouth had appeared at the same moment that she died. He felt that his life choice had already been made: eternal youth, infinite passion, secret pleasures, wild joys and wilder sins; he wanted all of those things. The portrait would bear the burden of his shame and he would be saved. That was all.

 

Listen and repeat the following sentences aloud

Spanish	English	Phonetics	ApproximatePronunciation
Él entró en la habitación	He entered the room	hi ˈentəd ðə ruːm |	Hi énterd de rum
Él dudó un momento	He hesitated for a moment	hi ˈhezɪteɪtɪdˈ fər ə ˈməʊmənt |	Hi héssiteitit for a móument
Él entró a la biblioteca	He entered the library	hi ˈentəd ðə ˈlaɪbrəri |	Hi énterd de láibreri
Él se sobresaltó	He jumped.	hi dʒʌmpt |	Hi champt
¿Había cambiado realmente el retrato?	Had the portrait really changed?	həd ðə ˈpɔːtrɪt ˈrɪəli tʃeɪndʒd |	Had de pórtret ríili chénichd
Se levantó y cerró con llave la puerta	He got up and locked the door.	hi ˈɡɒt ʌp ənd lɒkt ðə dɔː |	Hi gotap and lokt de dor
Quería estar solo para contemplar la máscara de su vergüenza	He wanted to be alone to contemplate the mask of his shame	hi ˈwɒntɪd tə bi əˈləʊn tə ˈkɒntəmpleɪt ðə mɑːsk əv ɪz ʃeɪm |	Hi wuantid tu bi alóun tu kóntempleit de másk of his shéim
Luego apartó el biombo	Then he removed the screen	ðen hi rɪˈmuːvd ðə skriːn |	Den hi rímuvd de sskrin
Se miró cara a cara	He looked himself in the face	hi lʊkt hɪmˈself ɪn ðə feɪs |	Hi lukt him’slef in de feis
No me arrepiento de nada de lo que ocurrió	I don’t regret anything that happened	ˈaɪ dəʊnt rɪˈɡret ˈeniθɪŋ ðət ˈhæpənd |	Ái dount ri’gret énizing dat hápend
Exclamó Lord Henry, poniéndose en pie	Exclaimed Lord Henry, standing up	ɪkˈskleɪmd lɔːd ˈhenri | ˈstændɪŋ ʌp |	Ek’skleimd lord hénri standing ap
Lord Henry cruzó la habitación	Lord Henry crossed the room,	lɔːd ˈhenri krɒst ðə ruːm |	Lord hénri krosd de rum
Le tomó las manos y las apretó con fuerza	he took his hands and squeezed them tightly.	hi tʊk ɪz hændz ənd skwiːzd ðəm ˈtaɪtli |	Hi tuk iss handss and skuissd dem táitli
Ella nunca volverá a la vida, murmuró el muchacho	She will never come back to life murmured the young man,	ʃi wl̩ ˈnevə kʌm ˈbæk tə laɪf ˈmɜːməd ðə jʌŋ mæn |	Shi wuil néve kam bak tu láif mérmerd de iang man
Él quería todas aquellas cosas	he wanted all of those things.	hi ˈwɒntɪd ɔːl əv ðəʊz ˈθɪŋz |	Hi wántid ol of dóuss zíngs

 

To sum up:

The regular verbs end in –ed. This –ed can have three sounds: d- as advised/advaisd/- id as in afforded /afordid/ and –t, as in asked /askt/ Nevertheless, you don’t really need to remember all these rules when you speak. Just try NOT to pronounce the “e” when you say the –ed. If you do this, you will naturally come up with the three different sounds I have just mentioned- d, -id and –t.

Homework

Using what you have learned in this lesson, go back to chapter 6 and 7 of the audiobook and try to spot all the regular verbs. Listen and repeat all the sentences that have regular verbs in these two chapters aloud. Remember that you have to master these sounds and you can only do this by repetition.

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