The Basic Past

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Read an extensive course syllabus that explains what each activity is, how to complete it and how it will help you improve your understanding of the basic past tenses.

The Basic Past Tense Introduction 5min

A presentation that explains what tenses are, why we need them and how the tense system works in English. As well as a presentation, you can test yourself using our interactive question and answer flashcards.

The Basic Past Course Objectives 5min

We set out the key objectives for this course so you can identify what you need to learn. We provide a downloadable checklist that you can print out to check off the points as you go through the course.

Past Simple Grammar 12 Topics | 1 Quiz

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Past Simple Grammar Introduction 10min

Before starting the grammar section of this course, we provide you with all the correct materials. This includes the slides used in our grammar presentations with notes lines and an interactive worksheet, which you can answer whilst watching the videos. We provide the correct answers to this interactive worksheet too and point you to our grammar forum, where you can ask any questions about the correct grammar of the past simple tense.

Past Simple Use 7min

This grammar video explains the key situations when the past simple tense is required. We provide numerous examples of each situation and draw timelines so you can clearly understand how to use the past simple tense. You also have access to a downloadable list of stative verbs with example sentences.

Past Simple Regular Verbs 14min

This grammar video explains how to turn any regular verb in the English language into its past simple form. You have access to a downloadable consonants and vowels printout as well as a one-page summary of all the rules shown in the video.

Past Simple Irregular Verbs 10min

This grammar video explains what an irregular verb is and how they work in the past simple tense. You have access to a downloadable list of the most common irregular verbs alongside the spelling patterns that they follow and audios of all these irregular verbs in their infinitive and past simple forms so you can pronounce them correctly.

Past Simple Affirmative 4min

This video shows you how to use the past simple affirmative form. We explain all the parts required alongside numerous examples with both regular and irregular verbs.

Past Simple Negative 4min

This video shows you how to use the past simple negative form. We explain all the parts required alongside numerous examples with both regular and irregular verbs. We also introduce the topic of contractions and how they can be used in the past simple tense.

Past Simple Questions 4min

There are two different ways to ask questions in the past simple tense and this video explains both of them in detail. We provide numerous examples of both forms so you can easily create a past simple question.

Past Simple Short Responses 3min

Most courses don't teach short responses, but at Virtually Fluent we want to be thorough. We explain what a short response is, why it's needed and how it can be formed in both the affirmative and negative forms of the past simple tense.

Past Simple Verb To Be 7min

The verb to be is a very irregular verb in the past simple tense, so we dedicate an entire topic explaining how to use it in the affirmative, negative, question and short response forms. You also have access to a downloadable printout that summarises everything explained in the video.

Past Simple Keywords 5min

Keywords are special words that work very well in a particular tense and in this grammar video we explain which ones are friends of the past simple tense. We explain how each keyword is used, its position in a sentence and what requirements it must have. You also have access to a downloadable summary of everything explained in this video.

Past Simple Common Mistakes 4min

Through experience, we have collected information about the most common mistakes that learners make in the past simple tense. We present our top 4 mistakes and explain how you can avoid them yourself.

Past Simple In Real Life 5min

This presentation demonstrates the use of the past simple tense in real life. We have found examples of the past simple tense online and in news articles and show these examples to you, so you can see how it's used in the everyday life of native speakers.

Past Simple Grammar Quiz

15min

This quiz tests your understanding of the past simple tense. It will test the use, form and structure of the tense as well as keywords and common mistakes and your ability to convert verbs into their past simple form.

Past Simple Pronunciation 7 Topics

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Past Simple Pronunciation Introduction 10min

Before starting the grammar section of this course, we provide you with all the correct materials. This includes the slides used in our grammar presentations with notes lines and an interactive worksheet, which you can answer whilst watching the videos. We provide the correct answers to this interactive worksheet too and point you to our grammar forum, where you can ask any questions about the correct grammar of the present participle.

Past Simple ED Pronunciation 2min

This short video explains what the ED pronunciation is, when it's required and what you need to look out for.

Past Simple Voiced and Unvoiced Sounds 5min

This pronunciation video introduces the phonetic chart in English. We explain all parts of the phonetic chart, what kind of sounds we have in our language and why this matters for the pronunciation of past simple verbs. You have access to a downloadable phonetic chart too.

Past Simple /T/ Pronunciation 5min

We provide an in-depth explanation of how to pronounce the letter T. We show close-up videos of our native teachers saying this sound and explain why this matters for the past simple tense.

Past Simple /D/ Pronunciation 6min

We provide an in-depth explanation of how to pronounce the letter D. We show close-up videos of our native teachers saying this sound and explain why this matters for the past simple tense.

Past Simple /ID/ Pronunciation 4min

We provide an in-depth explanation of how to pronounce the combination sound ID. We show close-up videos of our native teachers saying this and explain why this matters for the past simple tense.

Past Simple Sentences to Practise 10min

This is a downloadable document with a list of past simple verbs. You can practise saying these words to ensure you are pronouncing the past simple tense correctly. You can also access audios of our native teachers saying these words, so you can repeat after the teacher or at the same time.

Past Simple Self-Study Activities 9 Topics

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Past Simple Dear Diary ... 10min

You will learn in the grammar videos from this topic that we use the past simple tense to describe events that have already happened. A great way to integrate the past simple tense into your everyday life is to keep a diary or a journal. Here you can describe events that have happened during your day. We suggest our favourite diary apps to help you keep notes and suggest some tips on how to make this exercise very effective.

Past Simple Tell a Story 10min

Select some of our picture cards at random and try to create a past tense story using these words. As well as reviewing your vocabulary and English use, you can practise using the past simple tense in a more flexible way.

Past Simple Describe the Trailer 10min

We point you towards our favourite online resources for film trailers. Because we use the past simple tense to describe events that have already happened, we recommend watching a trailer and then describing the events that happened in this trailer. As well as practising the past simple tense, you will expand your vocabulary and you can choose films that interest you.

Past Simple Book Review 10min

We recommend our favourite online resources for reading books or the news in English. We show you our resources according to each level, so you can practise English reading no matter what your level is. We then provide a template for writing a book review. Of course, this requires you to have read something first.

Past Simple Flashcards 10min

A sub-topic of this tense is being able to convert verbs into their past simple formation. Use these verb flashcards to test your ability to turn any verb into its past simple. Â

Past Simple Making Sentences 10min

Use our keyword and infinitive verb flashcards to create your own sentences. You will practise converting verbs into their past simple form, using the past simple keywords correctly and using the past simple in the correct way.

Past Simple Fill in the Gaps 10min

Storytelling is one of the most common uses of the past simple tense. We tell you one of the most common fables in the English language but we've eliminated all the verbs, making it a worksheet. As well as reviewing the past simple tense, youâ€™ll learn about the English culture and get to know the typical stories that children learn growing up.

Past Simple My First 10min

When we talk about the first time that an event happened, provided it has already finished, we use the past simple tense. This can be a fun activity when discussing the topics with friends and family. You will get to use the past simple tense in a conversational way that is relevant to you.

Past Simple True or False? 10min

Read a series of statements that are either true or false. As well as practising your past simple pronunciation by reading each statement out loud, you must use conversational English to discuss whether this statement is true or false and support your argument using opinion phrases.

Past Continuous Grammar 10 Topics | 1 Quiz

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Past Continuous Grammar Introduction 10min

Before starting the grammar section of this course, we provide you with all the correct materials. This includes the slides used in our grammar presentations with notes lines and an interactive worksheet, which you can answer whilst watching the videos. We provide the correct answers to this interactive worksheet too and point you to our grammar forum, where you can ask any questions about the correct grammar of the past continuous tense.

Past Continuous Use 14min

This grammar video explains the key situations when the past continuous tense is required. We provide numerous examples of each situation and draw timelines so you can clearly understand how to use the past continuous tense.

Past Continuous Present Participle 15min

This grammar video explains how to turn any verb in the English language into its present participle form. We also explain how the present participle is relevant in the past continuous tense formation. You have access to a downloadable consonants and vowels printout as well as a one-page summary of all the rules shown in the video.

Past Continuous Affirmative 4min

This video shows you how to use the past continuous affirmative form. We explain all the parts required alongside numerous examples.

Past Continuous Negative 5min

This video shows you how to use the past continuous negative form. We explain all the parts required alongside numerous examples. We also introduce the topic of contractions and how they can be used in the past continuous tense.

Past Continuous Questions 4min

There are two different ways to ask questions in the past continuous tense and this video explains both of them in detail. We provide numerous examples of both forms so you can easily create a past continuous question.

Past Continuous Short Responses 4min

Most courses don't teach short responses, but at Virtually Fluent we want to be thorough. We explain what a short response is, why it's needed and how it can be formed in both the affirmative and negative forms of the past continuous tense.

Past Continuous Keywords 8min

Keywords are special words that work very well in a particular tense and in this grammar video we explain which ones are friends of the past continuous tense. We explain how each keyword is used, its position in a sentence and what requirements it must have. You also have access to a downloadable summary of everything explained in this video.

Past Continuous Common Mistakes 5min

Through experience, we have collected information about the most common mistakes that learners make in the past continuous tense. We present our top 4 and explain how you can avoid them yourself. You also have access to a downloadable list of the most common stative verbs with example sentences.

Past Continuous In Real Life 5min

This presentation demonstrates the use of the past continuous tense in real life. We have found examples of the past continuous tense online and in news articles and show these examples to you, so you can see how it's used in the everyday life of native speakers.

Past Continuous Grammar Quiz

15min

This quiz tests your understanding of the past continuous tense. It will test the use, form and structure of the tense as well as keywords and common mistakes and your ability to convert verbs into their present participle form. You will receive your results immediately after with detailed answers and explanations and you can repeat the quiz as many times as you wish. Your first result will be added to our course leaderboard so you can compare your score to our other course learners.

Past Continuous Pronunciation 5 Topics

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Past Continuous Pronunciation Introduction 10min

Before starting the pronunciation section of this course, we provide you with all the correct materials. This includes the slides used in our pronunciation presentations with notes lines and an interactive worksheet, which you can answer whilst watching the videos. We provide the correct answers to this interactive worksheet too and point you to our pronunciation forum, where you can ask any questions about the correct pronunciation of the past continuous tense.

Past Continuous Slang ING 4min

Although the letters ING seem simple, there are three different ways to pronounce them depending on where you are and who you're talking to. We explain how to pronounce this, with close-up videos of the correct pronunciation and we provide numerous examples.

Past Continuous Word Stress 5min

This is a brief introduction to word stress and why it matters for the past continuous tense. We explain the basic word stress rules and introduce our stress bubbles.

Past Continuous Sentence Stress 6min

This is a brief introduction to sentence stress. We explain what stress is, how to stress, how it applies to sentences and why this matters for the past continuous tense.

Past Continuous Sentences to Practise 10min

This is a downloadable document with a list of past continuous verbs. You can practise saying these words to ensure you are pronouncing the ING ending correctly. You can also access audios of our native teachers saying these words, so you can repeat after the teacher or at the same time.

Past Continuous Self-Study Activities 5 Topics

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Past Continuous Present Participle Flashcards 10min

A sub-topic of this tense is being able to convert verbs into their present participle formation. Use these verb flashcards to test your ability to turn any verb into its present participle. Â

Past Continuous Describe the Scene 10min

Use our photo booklet to practise using the past continuous tense to talk about events that were happening at a certain historical time. We also demonstrate how you can use your own personal photos, books or films to complete this activity whenever you wish.

Past Continuous Finish the Sentence 10min

Use our starting phrases and complete the sentence using your own creativity. As well as practising the past continuous tense, youâ€™ll get to review your general English grammar, vocabulary and structure skills in this activity.

Past Continuous What Were You Doing? 10min

Read about some of the most historical events that have happened in this century and try to remember what you were doing when you heard the news of this event. We categorise this into different decades so people of all ages can complete this activity.

Past Continuous Songs 10min

Fill in the gaps activities are always good to review grammar. This activity provides you with the lyrics to various songs that use the past continuous tense, so youâ€™ll get to practise your grammar but also your listening skills.

Past Simple v Past Continuous Grammar 4 Topics | 1 Quiz

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Past Simple v Past Continuous Use 14min

This grammar video compares the key situations when the past simple and past continuous tenses are required. We provide numerous examples of each situation and draw timelines so you can clearly see the differences between the two tenses. You have access to a downloadable interactive worksheet and answers, the slides used in the presentation and a list of the most common stative verbs.

Past Simple v Past Continuous Keywords 2min

This grammar video puts the keywords of the past simple and past continuous tenses side-by-side so you can see the differences and avoid any mix-up. You can download the slides used in this presentation as well as a summary page with the keywords in both tenses.

Past Simple v Past Continuous Common Mistakes 5min

Through experience, we have collected information about the most common mistakes that learners make when trying to decide between the past simple and past continuous tenses. We present our top 4 and explain how you can avoid them yourself. You also have access to a downloadable interactive worksheet and answers as well as the slides and notes used in the presentation.

Past Simple v Past Continuous Grammar Introduction 10min

Before starting the grammar section of this course, we provide you with all the correct materials. This includes the slides used in our grammar presentations with notes lines and an interactive worksheet, which you can answer whilst watching the videos. We provide the correct answers to this interactive worksheet too and point you to our grammar forum, where you can ask any questions about the correct grammar of the past simple and past continuous tenses.

Past Simple v Past Continuous Grammar Quiz

15min

This quiz tests your ability to use the past simple and past continuous tenses side-by-side. As well as using the correct form and structure, you must decide which of the tenses is more suitable in each situation.You will receive your results immediately after with detailed answers and explanations and you can repeat the quiz as many times as you wish. Your first result will be added to our course leaderboard so you can compare your score to our other course learners.

Past Simple v Past Continuous Self-Study Activities 6 Topics

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Past Simple v Past Continuous Conversation Questions 10min

Conversation is normally the reason why we learn grammar. We provide a list of the most typical conversation questions in the past simple and past continuous tenses and you have access to our conversation forum where you can write answers to these questions. We also provide you with access to our private Flipgrid community where you can upload videos of yourself answering these questions and listen to other learners' answers.

Past Simple v Past Continuous News Story 10min

Both the past simple tense and the past continuous tense are used to talk about past events, particularly in news stories. Using our online forum, you can tell us about some important news stories that have recently happened in your hometown, city or country and use the past simple and past continuous tense to inform us.

Past Simple v Past Continuous Finish the Story 10min

Use our starting phrases to form a sentence using your own creativity. As well as practising the past simple and past continuous tenses, youâ€™ll get to review your general English grammar, vocabulary and structure skills in this activity.

Past Simple v Past Continuous Keywords Flashcards 10min

You will learn in the keywords video that each tense uses only certain keywords. Using our set of flashcards, select a keyword at random and create various sentences using this keyword correctly.

Past Simple v Past Continuous Liar! Liar! 10min

You must imagine that you have been caught red-handed doing a series of activities. We ask you to explain what you were doing and why. You will require both the past simple and past continuous tenses to explain yourself.

Past Simple v Past Continuous Describe the Experience 10min

This is a relaxing self-study activity that requires you to take 10 minutes to yourself and breathe. After, we explain how this can help you and we add a past simple and past continuous activity into the mix.

The Basic Past Summary 3 Topics

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The Basic Past Review Booklet 5min

This review booklet summarises everything learnt in this course. We dedicate an entire page to the past simple tense, one to the past continuous tense and one that puts both tenses side-by-side so you can see how each of them is used.

The Basic Past Learning Outcomes 5min

We list the objectives of this course and your achievements, so you can see how much you have progressed by taking our course.

The Basic Past Course Feedback 5min

We always appreciate any feedback from our learners. Here you have the chance to fill in an optional questionnaire telling us what you liked and didn't like so we can keep on improving for our future learners.

The Basic Past

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Course Objectives

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The Basic Past

The Basic Past

Course Facts

Course Objectives

Course Features

Notes Tool

Social Group

Translator

Support

Transcripts

Downloads

Course Content

Course Includes

Ratings and Reviews

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