How to change verbs into the past tense

• This worksheet explains how to change verbs into the past tense.

• Spelling rules are given at the top, and the children should insert the correct verbs into the sentences using the correct spelling.

• On this worksheet, there are no blank spaces so children have to decide where to insert the verb (and sometimes there are two verbs which need to be added to each sentence.

Verbs

• To change a verb into the past tense we add ed. (played, worked, waited)

• If the verb ends with an e, only add a d. (moved, hoped, liked)

• If the verb ends with a y, we change the y to an i and add ed. (dry - dried, tidy - tidied, copy- copied)

• If the verb ends in a consonant and has a short vowel sound we double the consonant and add ed. (robbed, stopped, tapped)

Write out the following sentences in your exercise books, fill in the missing verb(s) and add the correct ending.

1) The dog at the postman. (bark)

2) I to catch the ball, but I it. (try) (drop)

3) I have up my pocket money to buy a toy. (save)

4) Peter loudly then his nose. (sneeze) (wipe)

5) Janet when she fell and her knee. (cry) (bang)

6) The taxi when the man it down. (stop) (flag)

7) Betty up the box and it to the table. (lift) (carry)

Created by Michele Papageorghiou - Teaching Ideas for Primary Teachers - http://www.teachingideas.co.uk/ (January 4th 2008)