A2 · Elementar Capítulo 4

The Past: States and Regular Actions

6 Regras totais
69 exemplos
5 min
Regras neste capítulo Prática rápida

Chapter in 30 Seconds

Unlock the power of the past to tell engaging stories about your life and experiences.

  • Identify states using was and were.
  • Form questions and negative sentences in the past.
  • Conjugate regular verbs by adding the -ed suffix.
Master the past and start telling your story today.

O que você vai aprender

Ready to tell your own stories about the past? In this chapter, we'll practice using was and were and adding -ed to regular verbs, so you can easily describe where you were and what you did yesterday!

Learning Objectives

By the end of this chapter, you will be able to:

  1. 1
    By the end you will be able to: Describe where you were and what you did during your last vacation.

Guia do capítulo

Overview

Ready to take your English conversations to the next level? Mastering English the past: states and regular actions is a huge step in being able to share your experiences and tell your own stories. This essential A2 English grammar will unlock your ability to talk about yesterday, last week, or even your childhood.
Imagine easily describing where you were last night, what you did over the weekend, or how you felt about a past event.
In this guide, we’ll dive into the fundamental building blocks of talking about the past. You'll learn how to correctly use was and were for past states and locations, how to ask questions about the past, and how to form negative sentences. We'll also explore the simple yet powerful rule of adding -ed to regular verbs to describe completed actions, along with the necessary spelling adjustments.
Finally, we'll equip you with key time expressions like yesterday, ago, and last to firmly place your stories in a specific past moment. Let’s get started and give you the tools to chat confidently about what’s already happened!

How This Grammar Works

Talking about the past in English often starts with understanding two main ideas: describing past *states* (how things were) and describing past *actions* (what someone did).
For past states, feelings, or locations, we use the Past Simple form of the verb to be, which is was or were. We use was for singular subjects (I, he, she, it) and were for plural subjects (you, we, they). For example,
I was tired yesterday
or
They were at the library an hour ago.
To ask questions, simply put was or were before the subject:
Was he busy?
or
Were you happy?
To make these negative, we add not to form wasn't (was not) or weren't (were not): "She wasn't at home or We weren't ready."
When we talk about completed actions, things that are officially over and finished in the past, we use the Past Simple with regular verbs. The great news is that for most regular verbs, you just add -ed to the base form! For example,
I walked to work,
She played tennis,
or
They watched a movie.
There are a few important spelling rules to remember: if a verb ends in -e, just add -d (e.g., live -> lived).
If a verb ends in -y preceded by a consonant, change the -y to -i and add -ed (e.g., study -> studied). For short verbs with a CVC (consonant-vowel-consonant) pattern, we often double the last consonant before adding -ed (e.g., stop -> stopped). To make your past simple sentences clear, use time expressions like yesterday, last week, or two days ago.
These words help anchor your story to a specific, finished moment.

Common Mistakes

  1. 1Mixing 'to be' with 'did':
* ✗ I *did was* happy.
* ✓ I was happy.
* Explanation: Was and were are already past tense. You don't need did with them.
  1. 1Incorrect 'to be' form or missing '-ed':
* ✗ We *was* at the party.
* ✓ We were at the party.
* ✗ She *play* tennis yesterday.
* ✓ She played tennis yesterday.
* Explanation: Remember to match was/were with the correct subject (singular/plural) and always add -ed for regular past actions.
  1. 1Ignoring spelling rules for '-ed' verbs:
* ✗ They *studyd* for the exam.
* ✓ They studied for the exam.
* Explanation: Pay attention to verbs ending in -y or those with a CVC pattern to ensure correct spelling.

Real Conversations

A

A

How was your trip to the museum yesterday?
B

B

It was fantastic! I really enjoyed the ancient art exhibit. We walked around for hours.
A

A

Were you busy last weekend?
B

B

Not really. I stayed home and watched some movies. My brother was at his friend's house, so it was quiet.
A

A

Why weren't you at the meeting this morning?
B

B

Oh, I was a little late because my train stopped. I arrived just after it finished.

Quick FAQ

Q

When do I use was and were in English?

You use was for singular subjects (I, he, she, it) and were for plural subjects (you, we, they) to describe past states, feelings, or locations. For example,

I was cold,
but
They were warm.

Q

What are the main rules for adding -ed to regular verbs?

Generally, just add -ed (e.g., walked). If the verb ends in -e, add -d (e.g., lived). If it ends in a consonant + -y, change the -y to -i and add -ed (e.g., studied). If it's a short verb with a CVC pattern, double the last consonant and add -ed (e.g., stopped).

Q

Can I use "didn't" with was or were?

No, you should not use "didn't" with was or were. To make them negative, use wasn't (was not) or weren't (were not). For example, "She wasn't there, not She didn't was there."

Q

What time expressions are common with the Past Simple?

Common time expressions include yesterday, last week/month/year, two days ago, in 2020, or phrases like

when I was a child.
They help specify when the past event happened.

Cultural Context

Native English speakers use these Past Simple patterns constantly in daily conversation, especially when sharing stories or recounting events. Contractions like wasn't and weren't are very common in informal speech and writing, while the full forms (was not, were not) are more typical in formal contexts. Mastering these forms allows for natural flow in storytelling, whether you're describing your morning or a past vacation.
There aren't significant regional differences in the basic application of these rules, making them universally understood.

Exemplos-chave (8)

1

Last night, I was really tired after work.

Ontem à noite, eu estava bem cansado depois do trabalho.

Passado Simples: Verbo 'to be' (was/were)
2

The coffee shop was very crowded this morning.

A cafeteria estava muito lotada esta manhã.

Passado Simples: Verbo 'to be' (was/were)
3

Were you at the party last night?

Você estava na festa ontem à noite?

Perguntas no passado: Você era? Você estava? (Was/Were)
4

Was the coffee cold when it arrived?

O café estava frio quando chegou?

Perguntas no passado: Você era? Você estava? (Was/Were)
5

I wasn't ready for that pop quiz.

Eu não estava pronto para aquela prova surpresa.

Passado Simples Negativo: wasn't & weren't
6

The WiFi wasn't working yesterday, so I couldn't stream.

O Wi-Fi não estava funcionando ontem, então não consegui fazer streaming.

Passado Simples Negativo: wasn't & weren't
7

Last night, I `watched` a new series on Netflix.

Ontem à noite, eu assisti a uma nova série na Netflix.

Passado Simples: Verbos Regulares (A Regra do -ed)
8

My friend `called` me yesterday to share some exciting news.

Meu amigo me ligou ontem para compartilhar notícias emocionantes.

Passado Simples: Verbos Regulares (A Regra do -ed)

Dicas e truques (4)

💡

A Regra do 'You'

Não importa se você está falando com uma pessoa ou com várias, 'you' sempre usa 'were' no passado simples. Então, se você quer perguntar se um amigo estava ocupado, diga: You were busy. Isso vale para 'you' no singular e no plural!
frontend.learn_grammar.from_rule: Passado Simples: Verbo 'to be' (was/were)
⚠️

A Armadilha do 'Did'

Nunca use 'Did' junto com 'Was' ou 'Were'. Eles são como água e óleo, simplesmente não combinam. Por exemplo, você diria: Were you happy?
frontend.learn_grammar.from_rule: Perguntas no passado: Você era? Você estava? (Was/Were)
💡

Concordância Sujeito-Verbo

Sempre combine 'wasn't' com sujeitos singulares (I, he, she, it) e 'weren't' com sujeitos plurais (you, we, they). Errar essa combinação é comum, então preste atenção! "He wasn't here, but they weren't either."
frontend.learn_grammar.from_rule: Passado Simples Negativo: wasn't & weren't
💡

Fique de olho no som do '-ed'!

O final '-ed' pode soar como /t/, /d/ ou /ɪd/, dependendo do som anterior. Por exemplo, 'walked' soa como 'walkt', 'played' como 'playd' e 'started' como 'start-id'. Não se preocupe demais com a pronúncia perfeita agora, mas começar a notar os sons vai ajudar na sua escuta!
I walked to the store.
frontend.learn_grammar.from_rule: Passado Simples: Verbos Regulares (A Regra do -ed)

Vocabulário-chave (6)

yesterday the day before today ago in the past visit to go see someone or a place study to learn or examine tired needing rest happy feeling joy

Real-World Preview

coffee

Discussing the Weekend

Review Summary

  • Subject + was/were + adjective/noun
  • Verb + ed
  • Action + time (yesterday/ago/last)

Erros comuns

You don't need 'was' with a regular verb. Just add -ed to the verb.

Wrong: I was walk yesterday.
Correto: I walked yesterday.

When a verb ends in a consonant + y, change the y to i before adding -ed.

Wrong: She studyed hard.
Correto: She studied hard.

In questions, the verb 'to be' comes before the subject.

Wrong: Where you was?
Correto: Where were you?

Regras neste capítulo (6)

1

Passado Simples: Verbo 'to be' (was/were)

A2
Para falar do passado, você tem duas palavras mágicas: was e were. Com elas, você descreve como as coisas eram ou onde estavam no passado. Fácil, né?
Last night, I was really tired after work.
12 exemplos
2

Perguntas no passado: Você era? Você estava? (Was/Were)

A2
Para fazer perguntas no passado sobre estados ou lugares, é só colocar was ou were antes do sujeito. Simples assim!
Were you at the party last night?
12 exemplos
3

Passado Simples Negativo: wasn't & weren't

A2
"Wasn't e weren't
são suas formas negativas do verbo
to be
no passado, perfeitas para descrever
states e locations".
I wasn't ready for that pop quiz.
12 exemplos
4

Passado Simples: Verbos Regulares (A Regra do -ed)

A2
Dominar o uso do -ed te dá a chave para contar muitas histórias sobre o passado!
Last night, I `watched` a new series on Netflix.
11 exemplos
5

Regras de Ortografia do Passado Simples (-ed, -ied, -d)

A2
Dominar essas regras de ortografia do -ed faz com que seus verbos no passado simples fiquem perfeitamente corretos sempre. Você tem 'regras' para 'adicionar -ed', 'mudar y para i' e 'dobrar consoante'.
Last night, I `watched` a really interesting docum...
10 exemplos
6

Palavras de tempo no passado: yesterday, ago, last

A2
Expressões de tempo são como âncoras para suas ações no Past Simple, mostrando que foi em um momento específico e finalizado da história.
I posted that photo three days ago.
12 exemplos

Next Steps

You have done a fantastic job! The past is no longer a mystery. Keep practicing these patterns in your daily life.

Write a diary entry for yesterday

Continue to: The Past: Irregular Actions and Questions

Prática rápida (10)

Preencha a lacuna com a palavra de tempo correta.

I saw that movie two weeks ___.

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: ago
Usamos 'ago' depois de um período de tempo (two weeks) para mostrar há quanto tempo algo aconteceu. Fácil, né?

frontend.learn_grammar.from_rule: Palavras de tempo no passado: yesterday, ago, last

Encontre e corrija o erro.

Find and fix the mistake:

We didn't watched the whole movie.

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: We didn't watch the whole movie.
Ao usar 'didn't' para uma frase negativa no Past Simple, o verbo principal deve estar na sua forma base, não com '-ed'.

frontend.learn_grammar.from_rule: Passado Simples: Verbos Regulares (A Regra do -ed)

Encontre e corrija o erro

Find and fix the mistake:

Where did you were last night?

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: Where were you last night?
A estrutura correta é 'Wh- word + were + you'. 'Did' não é usado com verbos 'to be'.

frontend.learn_grammar.from_rule: Perguntas no passado: Você era? Você estava? (Was/Were)

Escolha a forma correta

The concert ___ very loud.

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: wasn't
'The concert' é um sujeito singular, então usa 'wasn't'.

frontend.learn_grammar.from_rule: Passado Simples Negativo: wasn't & weren't

Qual frase usa corretamente o Past Simple para um verbo regular?

Choose the correct sentence:

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: They played football yesterday.
Para formar o Past Simple para o verbo regular 'play', adicionamos '-ed'. 'Played' é a forma correta para uma ação completa no passado.

frontend.learn_grammar.from_rule: Passado Simples: Verbos Regulares (A Regra do -ed)

Encontre e corrija o erro na preposição.

I graduated on 2022.

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: I graduated in 2022.
Para anos, sempre usamos a preposição 'in'. Anote essa dica!

frontend.learn_grammar.from_rule: Palavras de tempo no passado: yesterday, ago, last

Encontre e corrija o erro

Find and fix the mistake:

We wasn't late for the flight.

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: We weren't late for the flight.
'We' é um sujeito plural, então exige 'weren't'.

frontend.learn_grammar.from_rule: Passado Simples Negativo: wasn't & weren't

Encontre e corrija o erro.

Find and fix the mistake:

She studyed for her exam all night.

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: She studied for her exam all night.
Quando um verbo termina em consoante + 'y' (como 'study'), o 'y' muda para 'i' antes de adicionar -ed.

frontend.learn_grammar.from_rule: Regras de Ortografia do Passado Simples (-ed, -ied, -d)

Encontre e corrija o erro na frase.

Find and fix the mistake:

My friends was at the party last night.

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: My friends were at the party last night.
O sujeito 'My friends' (Meus amigos) é plural, então ele exige 'were', não 'was'.

frontend.learn_grammar.from_rule: Passado Simples: Verbo 'to be' (was/were)

Preencha a lacuna

___ you at the library yesterday?

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: Were
Usamos 'were' para o sujeito 'you' em perguntas no passado simples.

frontend.learn_grammar.from_rule: Perguntas no passado: Você era? Você estava? (Was/Were)

Score: /10

Perguntas comuns (6)

'Was' e 'were' são as formas do passado simples do verbo 'to be'. Eles descrevem estados, condições ou lugares que existiam no passado. Por exemplo, você pode dizer I was happy (Eu estava feliz) ou
They were at the park
(Eles estavam no parque).
Você usa 'was' para sujeitos no singular (I, he, she, it, ou um substantivo singular como 'the dog'). Você usa 'were' para sujeitos no plural (you, we, they, ou um substantivo plural como 'the dogs'). Pense,
My cat was sleeping
(Meu gato estava dormindo) e
My dogs were playing
(Meus cães estavam brincando).
Não, você não pode. 'Was' e 'Were' são formas do verbo 'to be', e eles formam perguntas apenas se movendo para a frente da frase. O 'Did' é para outros verbos, como 'go', 'eat' ou 'sleep'. Por exemplo:
Did you go to the party?
Sempre use 'were' com 'you'. Mesmo que você esteja falando com uma só pessoa, 'were you' é a única forma correta no inglês padrão. Nunca diga Was you there?. Sempre Were you there?
São as formas negativas do passado do verbo 'to be' ('was' e 'were'). Usamos para dizer que algo 'não era' ou 'não estava' no passado. Por exemplo, "I wasn't hungry."
Depende do seu sujeito! Use 'wasn't' para sujeitos singulares (I, he, she, it, ou uma pessoa/coisa). Use 'weren't' para sujeitos plurais (you, we, they, ou várias pessoas/coisas). Por exemplo, "He wasn't here mas They weren't here."
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