Past Simple – Regular Verbs
Regular verbs form the past simple by adding -ed to the basic form of the verb. The form is the same for all persons.
Basic rule
Add -ed:
- clean → cleaned
- open → opened
- help → helped
Spelling changes
-
Verb ending in -e: add -d
dance → danced, prepare → prepared -
Short verb ending in one vowel + one consonant: double the final consonant
stop → stopped, rub → rubbed, admit → admitted -
Consonant + y: change -y → -ied
marry → married, try → tried, reply → replied -
Vowel + y: add -ed
enjoy → enjoyed, play → played -
Verb ending in -ie: add -d
lie → lied, tie → tied, die → died
Careful: dye (= colour) → dyed, but die → died.
British spelling: final -l doubles
In British English, a final -l after one vowel usually doubles.
- cancel → cancelled
- travel → travelled
Pronunciation of -ed
The ending -ed has three possible sounds:
- /t/ → watched, helped
- /d/ → played, cleaned
- /ɪd/ after /t/ and /d/ → wanted, needed
