verb be past_tense
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TRANSCRIPT
Inter American University of Puerto RicoGuayama Campus
Title V Cooperative ProjectVerb To BE Past Tense ModuleProf. Marisol Piazza Aguirre
Instructions
Use the following buttons to navigate through this
module:
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Use this button to view the answer to the exercise.
Purpose
This module proposes to expand the basic
teaching-learning activities of English included inthe Title V Cooperative Project: “Improving AcademicOutcomes Through a Teaching-Based Consortium Program for the Core Curriculum”. The project isintegrated by the Pontifical Catholic University of Puerto Rico in Ponce from where it is directed, the Arecibo, Mayagüez and Guayama Campuses, the School ofPlastic Arts of Puerto Rico and Inter American Universityof Puerto Rico, Guayama Campus.
Introduction
One of the most important verbs an ESL
(English as a Second Language) student should master to communicate effectively in English orally as well as inwritten form is the Verb To BE in the Past Tense. This module has been designed for all college students but specially for you students who are registered in the basic English as a Second Language I,GEEN 1101 course. In this module you will study andreview the rules of how to use the Verb To BE in the Past Tense correctly.
Objectives
General Objective:
By the end of this module, the student will develop confidence
and demonstrate knowledge using the Verb To BE in the Past Tense
in oral and written form to express state of being, location, feelings
health, time, weather, and other factual information in the past.
Specific Objective:
At the end of this module, the student will learn how to
use affirmative and negative sentences, direct questions,
short yes/no answers, wh-questions (information questions) and
answers giving pertinent information using the Verb To BE in the
Past Tense.
Pre-Test (Affirmative Sentences)
Select the best answer.__ 1. My family and I ___ in Mexico last summer. (A) were (B) are (C) was __ 2. The office door ___ closed this morning. (A) is (B) were (C) was
__ 3. Teresa ___ absent to work yesterday. (A) is (B) was (C) were
__ 4. We ___ very tired after our long walk in the country. (A) are (B) was (C) were
__ 5. Pedro and Susan ___ at the cinema last night. (A) was (B) were (C) are
Pre-Test (Negative Sentences)
__ 6. The weather ___ pleasant yesterday. It was raining all day. (A) wasn’t (B) isn’t (C) weren’t __ 7. You ___ at the meeting this morning. What happened? (A) aren’t (B) weren’t (C) wasn’t __ 8. Endangered animals ___ as important many years ago as they are today. (A) wasn’t (B) aren’t (C) weren’t __ 9. E-mail communication ___ common ten years ago. (A) aren’t (B) weren’t (C) wasn’t __10. I ___ at home this past weekend. I was visiting my family. (A) am not (B) wasn’t (C) weren’t
Pre-Test (Yes/No Questions)
__ 11. ___ Kenneth sick two days ago? (A) Is (B) Were (C) Was __ 12. ___ Alex and Joseph on a basketball team last year? (A) Were (B) Are (C) Was
__ 13. ___ your car at the mechanic last week? (A) Was (B) Is (C) Were
__ 14. ___ the Taíno Indians intelligent and hardworking? (A) Was (B) Were (C) Are
__ 15. ___you born in the United States? (A) Are (B) Was (C) Were
Pre-Test (Information Questions)
__ 16. Why ___ the policemen at your house last night? (A) was (B) are (C) were
__ 17. When ___ your grandfather in the US Army? (A) were (B) was (C) is
__ 18. Where ___ the boys last weekend? (A) are (B) were (C) was
__ 19. Who ___ Martin Luther King, Jr.? (A) was (B) is (C) were
__ 20. What ___ your favorite game when you were a child? (A) is (B) were (C) was
Pre-Test Answer Key
1. A 11. C
2. C 12. A 3. B 13. A 4. C 14. B 5. B 15. C 6. A 16. C 7. B 17. B 8. C 18. B 9. C 19. A10. B 20. C
Pre-Test Evaluation
Total Correct Answers:
20 Excellent: Go to the Post Test.
19 Very Good: Review the incorrect answer and go to the
Post Test.
18-12 Good: Review the incorrect answers, study the rules
presented in this module, do the practice exercises
and then go to the Post Test.
11 or You Need More Practice: Study the module, review the
less rules carefully and do the practice exercises. When
you improve your score, you may go to the Post Test.
Verb To BE Past Tense
The Verb To BE is used to express: state of being→ ( I was an excellent student in high school.) location → ( We were in Costa Rica last summer.) feelings → ( The child was sad when he lost his toy.) descriptions → ( The flowers were fresh and vivid a week ago.) health → ( Danny was sick with the flu last month.) conditions → ( The buildings were modern, now they are old.) weather → ( Yesterday was a windy day.) time → ( It was 3:00 AM when the party ended.) nationality → ( Celia Cruz was a great Cuban singer.) colors → ( My hair was blonde when I was a child.) sizes → ( Ten years ago, I was size 10, now I’m size 16.) dates → ( Puerto Rico was discovered on November 19,1493.) moods → ( Laura was angry when her friends played a trick on her.) prices → ( Lands and houses were less expensive ten years ago.) etc…
Verb To BE Past Tense
The Verb To BE has two forms in
the Past Tense: waswere
Verb To BE Past Tense
English Spanish
was Singular
era, fue
estaba,estuvo
were Plural
eran, fueron
estaban, estuvieron
Verb To BE Past Tense
English Spanish
I was yo era / fui
yo estaba / estuve
You ( tú/ usted) were tú eras / fuiste usted era / fue
tú estabas / estuviste usted estaba / estuvo
He was él era / fue
él estaba / estuvo
She was ella era / fue
ella estaba / estuvo
It was era / fue
estaba / estuvo
SINGULAR
Verb To BE Past Tense
English Spanish
You (ustedes) were ustedes eran / fueron
ustedes estaban / estuvieron
We were nosotros(as) eramos / fuimos
nosotros(as) estabamos / estuvimos
They were ellos(as) eran / fueron
ellos(as) estaban / estuvieron
PLURAL
Verb To BE Past Tense Time Expressions
this morning
yesterday ► morning
► afternoon
► evening
► night
the day before yesterday (antier)
► last night (anoche)
► last Monday… (el lunes pasado)
► last week (la semana pasada)
► last weekend
► last month
► last May
► last year
► last semester
► last summer
► last Christmas…
Verb To BE Past Tense Time Expressions
► five seconds ago (hace 5 segundos)
► ten minutes ago (hace 10 minutos)
► two hours ago
► two days ago
► four weeks ago
► two weekends ago
► one month ago
► two summers ago
► two Christmas seasons ago…
► a few years ago
► many years ago
► five years ago
► a little while ago
► in 1990…
Verb To BE Past Tense Affirmative Sentences
SingularSUBJECT BE
I was
at the office yesterday.
You (tú/usted) were
He
She
It
was
Verb To BE Past Tense Affirmative Sentences
Plural
SUBJECT BE
You (ustedes)
were at the office yesterday.We
They
Affirmative Sentences
More Examples:
1. Mary was nine years old when she moved to the USA.
2. We were at the airport yesterday morning.
3. Last summer, Fred and Gina were in Italy.
4. The concert was cancelled because of bad weather.
5. The phone was busy when I called you last night.
6. The children were sick last week.
7. I was very shy when I was a teenager.
8. Record players were popular thirty years ago.
9. My dog was trained to protect the house.
10. Years ago, carbon and wood were used for cooking.
Verb To BE Past Tense Negative Sentences
SingularSUBJECT BE NOT
I was
not at the office yesterday.
You (tú/usted)
were
He
wasShe
It
Verb To BE Past Tense Negative Sentences
Plural
SUBECT BE NOT
You (ustedes)
were not at the office yesterday.We
They
Negative Sentences
More Examples: 1. Mary was not nine years old when she moved to the USA, she was five. 2. We were not at the airport yesterday morning. 3. Last Summer, Fred and Gina were not in Italy. 4. The concert was not cancelled because of bad weather. 5. The phone was not in service when I called you last night. 6. The children were not sick last week. 7. I was not very talkative when I was a teenager. 8. CD players were not popular thirty years ago. 9. My dog was not trained to save lives. 10. Years ago, stoves were not used for cooking because they weren’t invented.
Verb To BE Contractions in the Past Tense
Contractions: A contraction is the combination
of two words into one. In contractions, letters are
replaced with an apostrophe (’).
Verb To BE Contractions in the Past Tense
Important:
You cannot make contractions in
Affirmative Sentences in the Past Tense,
but you can make contractions in Negative
Sentences.
Language Notes
We cannot make a contraction with the
subject pronoun + was or were.
Examples:
No Contraction→ He was at the Mall yesterday.
No Contraction→ They were silent during class.
We cannot make a contraction with
there + was or there + were.
Examples:
No Contraction→ There was a fire in the store last month.
No Contraction→ There were two great movies on TV last night.
Language Notes
We can make a contraction with the negative form
of was and were.
Examples: (1) I was not a hyperactive child. (was not)
I wasn’t a hyperactive child. (contraction→ wasn’t)
(2) We were not nervous at the job interview. (were not)
We weren’t nervous at the job interview. (contraction→ weren’t)
Verb To BE Contractions in Negative Sentences
Complete Form Contraction I was not I wasn’t
You (tú/usted) were not You weren’t
He was not He wasn’t
She was not She wasn’t
It was not It wasn’t
You (ustedes) were not You weren’t
We were not We weren’t
They were not They weren’t
Verb To BE Contractions in Negative Sentences
1. I was not nervous on the first day of class.
2. You (usted) were not well dressed for the job interview yesterday.
3. Janet was not in the same school as her brother last year.
4. Joseph was not ready for his oral report last Tuesday.
1. I wasn’t nervous on the first day of class.
2. You weren’t well dressed for the job interview
yesterday.
3. Janet wasn’t in the same school as her brother last year.
4. Joseph wasn’t ready for his oral report last Tuesday.
Verb To BE Contractions in Negative Sentences
5. The Automatic Teller Machine (ATM) in the university was not in service yesterday afternoon.
6. You (ustedes) were not in the library when I went by this morning.
7. Ralph and I were not satisfied with the final decision.
8. The exercises in the last English lesson were not difficult.
5. The Automatic Teller Machine (ATM) in the university wasn’t in service yesterday afternoon.
6. You weren’t in the library when I went by this morning.
7. Ralph and I weren’t satisfied with the final decision.
8. The exercises in the last English lesson weren’t
difficult.
Verb To BE Yes / No Questions
BE (Question Word)
SUBJECT
Was I
at the office yesterday?
Were you (tú/usted)
Was he
she
it
Were you (ustedes)
we
they
Verb To BE Yes / No Short Answers
Short AnswersAffirmative Negative
Yes, you were. No, you were not. / No, you weren’t.
Yes, I was. No, I was not. / No, I wasn’t.
Yes, he was. No, he was not. / No, he wasn’t.
Yes, she was. No, she was not. / No, she wasn’t.
Yes, it was. No, it was not. / No, it wasn’t.
Yes, we were. No, we were not. / No, we weren’t.
Yes, you were. No, you were not. / No, you weren’t.
Yes, they were. No, they were not, / No, they weren’t.
Yes/No Questions and Short Answers
More Examples:
1. Were you (tú/usted) upset after waiting several hours for the doctor? Yes, I was. / No, I was not. / No, I wasn’t.
2. Was the strange looking man near the bank at noon? Yes, he was. / No, he was not. / No, he wasn’t.
3. Were all the jeans on sale at JC Penny last weekend? Yes, they were. / No, they were not. / No, they weren’t.
4. Was the food ready when the guests arrived to the cocktail? Yes, it was. / No, it was not. / No, it wasn’t.
Yes/No Questions and Short Answers
5. Was Frida Kahlo a Mexican painter?
Yes, she was. / No, she was not. / No, she wasn’t.
6. Were you and your friends at the Luis Fonsi concert last Friday?
Yes, we were. / No, we were not. / No, we weren’t.
7. Was I on the Student Nominee List for a scholarship?
Yes, you were. / No, you were not. / No, you weren’t.
8. Were Jerry and Diana responsible students in high school?
Yes, they were. / No, they were not. / No, they weren’t.
Wh-Questions (Information Questions)
Question Word Questions Answers Who (person) Who was the first woman
pilot?Amelia Earhart was the first woman pilot.
What (thing)What were yesterday’s workshops about?
They were about new computer software and programs .
When (time) When was the flight to Boston cancelled?
It was cancelled fifteen minutes ago.
Why (reason)Why were the children sad at the park?
They were sad because it was time to leave.
Where (place)Where were David and Elaine last night?
They were at the gym.
How (description/health) How was your day at work this morning?
It was very busy but interesting.
Whose (possession) Whose historical house was this years ago?
It was poet Luis Palés Matos’ house.
Wh-Questions (Information Questions)
More Examples:
1. (Q) When was Daniel promoted to sales manager? (A) He was promoted last month.
2. (Q) Where were you and your friends last Saturday? (A) We were in Old San Juan taking photos for our History class.
3. (Q) Who were you with at the jazz festival? (A) I was with my nephews and nieces.
Wh-Questions (Information Questions)
4. (Q) How was the English exam yesterday?
(A) It was easy but too long.
5. (Q) Why were the airports in Chicago and New York closed last
week?
(A) They were closed because of the snow storms and the terrible
weather.
6. (Q) What was the problem with your car?
(A) It was a problem with the air conditioning system.
Practice Exercises (Affirmative Sentences)
Select the best answer.
__ 1. Francine and Jacob ___ in Italy last Christmas. (A) are (B) were (C) was
__ 2. My mother ___ a model when she was young. (A) were (B) is (C) was
__ 3. We ___ very busy at home this past weekend. (A) were (B) was (C) are
__ 4. Our dog ___ at the veterinarian yesterday afternoon. (A) was (B) is (C) were
__ 5. Many homes ___ destroyed when the hurricane passed through the city. (A) are (B) was (C) were
Practice Exercises (Negative Sentences)
__ 6. Cell phones ____ invented when my parents were teenagers. (A) aren’t (B) weren’t (C) wasn’t
__ 7. The hotel we stayed in ____ near public transportation. (A) isn’t (B) wasn’t (C) weren’t
__ 8. Mr. Huertas ____ alone when the accident occurred. (A) isn’t (B) aren’t (C) wasn’t
__ 9. Years ago, women ____ permitted to vote until the 1950s. (A) weren’t (B) wasn’t (C) aren’t
__10. The Internet service ____ available last night. (A) wasn’t (B) isn’t (C) aren’t
Practice Exercises (Yes/No Questions)
__ 11. ____ the certified letter received on time? (A) Is (B) Was (C) Were
__ 12. ____ the toll way costs in Puerto Rico raised last year? (A) Were (B) Are (C) Was
__ 13. ____ your first grade teacher nice? (A) Is (B) Was (C) Were __ 14. ____ your old friends in the past class reunion? (A) Was (B) Are (C) Were
__ 15. ____ a college education difficult to obtain fifty years ago? (A) Were (B) Is (C) Was
Practice Exercises (Information Questions)
__ 16. A: How ____ your past weekend? B: It was wonderful. (A) were (B) is (C) was
__ 17. A: What ____ the conference about ? B: It was about “Studying Habits”. (A) is (B) was (C) were
__ 18. A: Where ____ the criminals captured? B: They were captured in the park. (A) are (B) were (C) was
__ 19. A: Who ____ Elvis Presley? B: He was the king of Rock and Roll. (A) was (B) is (C) are
__ 20. A: Why ____ Paul and Patricia in trouble with the police? B: They were in trouble because they didn’t have a driver’s license. (A) are (B) were (C) was
Practice Exercise Answer Key
1. B 11. B 2. C 12. A 3. A 13. B 4. A 14. C 5. C 15. C 6. B 16. C 7. B 17. B 8. C 18. B 9. A 19. A 10. A 20. B
Practice Exercise Evaluation
Total Correct Answers:
20 Excellent: Go to the Post Test.
19 Very Good: Review the incorrect answer and go to the
Post Test.
18-12 Good: Review the incorrect answers, consult the module
again and then go to the Post Test.
11 or You Need More Practice: Study the module, review the
less rules carefully and do the practice exercises again.
When you understand the rules and improve your
score, you may go to the Post Test.
Post Test (Affirmative Sentences)
Select the best answer.__ 1. My family and I ___ in Mexico last summer. (A) were (B) are (C) was __ 2. The office door ___ closed this morning. (A) is (B) were (C) was
__ 3. Teresa ___ absent to work yesterday. (A) is (B) was (C) were
__ 4. We ___ very tired after our long walk in the country. (A) are (B) was (C) were
__ 5. Pedro and Susan ___ at the cinema last night. (A) was (B) were (C) are
Post Test (Negative Sentences)
__ 6. The weather ___ pleasant yesterday. It was raining all day. (A) wasn’t (B) isn’t (C) weren’t __ 7. You ___ at the meeting this morning. What happened? (A) aren’t (B) weren’t (C) wasn’t __ 8. Endangered animals ___ as important many years ago as they are today. (A) wasn’t (B) aren’t (C) weren’t __ 9. E-mail communication ___ common ten years ago. (A) aren’t (B) weren’t (C) wasn’t __10. I ___ at home this past weekend. I was visiting my family. (A) am not (B) wasn’t (C) weren’t
Post Test (Yes/No Questions)
__ 11. ___ Kenneth sick two days ago? (A) Is (B) Were (C) Was __ 12. ___ Alex and Joseph on a basketball team last year? (A) Were (B) Are (C) Was
__ 13. ___ your car at the mechanic last week? (A) Was (B) Is (C) Were
__ 14. ___ the Taíno Indians intelligent and hardworking? (A) Was (B) Were (C) Are
__ 15. ___you born in the United States? (A) Are (B) Was (C) Were
Post Test (Information Questions)
__ 16. Why ___ the policemen at your house last night? (A) was (B) are (C) were
__ 17. When ___ your grandfather in the US Army? (A) were (B) was (C) is
__ 18. Where ___ the boys last weekend? (A) are (B) were (C) was
__ 19. Who ___ Martin Luther King Jr.? (A) was (B) is (C) were
__ 20. What ___ your favorite game when you were a child? (A) is (B) were (C) was
Post Test Answer Key
1. A 11. C
2. C 12. A 3. B 13. A 4. C 14. B 5. B 15. C 6. A 16. C 7. B 17. B 8. C 18. B 9. C 19. A10. B 20. C
Post Test Evaluation
Total Correct Answers:
20 Excellent: Congratulations! You have successfully
completed this module. You may work with a different
module if necessary.
19 Very Good: Review the incorrect answer. You may work
with a different module if necessary.
18-12 Good: Review the incorrect answers, review the areas of
difficulty and take the Post Test again.
11 or You Need More Practice: I recommend that you review
less the complete module and take the Post Test again.
Letter to the Student
Congratulations ! You have completed the module Verb BE in the Past Tense. If you really understand allof the rules and examples presented, you can work witha different module depending on your needs. However, if you still have some questions concerning the rules, I advise you to review this module again or visit the Language Laboratory, Room B-6 and ask for help before studying a different module. Remember you learn by practicing, therefore use the Verb To BE in the Past Tense in your daily conversations and written work.