Past simple Spelling rules Exercises PDF

I started my journey yesterday.
You jumped more than five metres when you were 17.
He worked as a waitor three years ago.
We stayed at the same hotel last time.

But sometimes we have to change their spelling in the following ways.

1. We add only -d (not -ed) to the word that ends in -e.

Move: We moved to a new house last year.
Phone: I phoned Sarah, but she didn't reply.

2. If a verb ends in a consonant and -y, we change -y into -i.

Marry: We married as soon as we had graduated.
Tidy: Mum, I tidied my room last week!
But:
We played golf in the summer. ('Play' ends in a vowel and -y.)

3. If the regular verb has only one syllable and ends in a single vowel and a consonant, we double the consonant.

Plan: When I was young, I planned to be a fireman.
Stop: We stopped to have a rest.

This rule also applies to verbs which have more syllables and the word stress falls on the last syllable.

Kidnap: The president's children were kidnapped yesterday afternoon.
Prefer: We preferred to take a taxi to get there.
But:
He entered the house through the back door. (The stress is not on the last syllable).

4. Words ending in -l always double the consonant after a single vowel.

Travel: We travelled together in one car.
Cancel: The British Airways flight was cancelled.

Our tip:

English grammar books PDF

All PDF exercises and grammar rules from this website.

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