Spelling Rules for Regular Past Tense Verbs

Spelling Rules for Regular Past Tense Verbs

1. Add –ed to the base form of most verbs

start - started

finish - finished

wash - washed

2. Add only–d when the base form ends in an e.

live -lived

care -cared

die -died

3. If the verb ends in a consonant +y, change they to i and add–ed

dry - dried

carry - carried

spy - spied

4. If the verb ends in a vowel +y, do not change they. Just add –ed

pray - prayed

stay - stayed

destroy - destroyed

5. If the verb has one syllable and ends in a consonant + vowel + consonant (CVC), double the
final consonant and add–ed.

stop - stopped

rob - robbed

beg - begged

6. Do not double final w or x.

sew - sewed

mix - mixed

7. If the verb has two syllables, and the final syllable is stressed, double the final consonant.

ad mit’ - admitted

oc cur’ - occurred

per mit’ -permitted

8. If the verb has two syllables, and the final syllable isnot stressed, do not double the final consonant.

hap’ pen - happened

lis’ ten - listened

o’ pen - opened

Future with 'going to'

1- Form

verb 'to be' + going to + infinitive of the main verb

Subject + 'to be' + going to + infinitive
I am going to leave

2- Function

The use of 'going to' to refer to future events suggests a very strong association with the present. The time is not important - it is later than now, but the attitude is the event depends on a present situation, that we know about it. So it is used:

- plans and intentions
We're going to move to London next year. (= the plan is in our minds now.)

- predictions based on present evidence:
Look at those clouds - it is going to pour with rain! (= it's clear from what I can see now.)

Note: In everyday speech, 'going to' is often shortened to 'gonna', especially In American English.

Plans and intentions:

- Is Freddy going to buy a new car soon?
- Are John and Pam going to visit Milan when they are in Italy?
- I think Nigel and Mary are going to have a party next week.

Predictions based on present evidence:

- There is going to be a terrible accident!
- He is going to be a brilliant politician.
- I'm going to have a terrible indigestion.

Note: It is unusual to say 'I'm going to go to...'
Instead, we use 'going to' + a place or event:

Examples:

- We're going to the beach tomorrow.
- She is going to the ballet tonight.
- Are you going to the party tomorrow night?