Present Simple and Past Simple (Part One: TO BE)

Present Simple and Past Simple (Part One: TO BE)

You will learn the main differences between these tenses and how to transform present sentences into past ones.

Why are there exceptions with the verb 'to be'?

When we have the verb 'to be' in the sentence, it changes the way how we make negative sentences and questions. We don't use any extra words. Look at the picture.

Present Simple 'To be' we can use as am, is, are in different sentences. It depends on who or what performs the action. Let's practise some examples.

Multiple Choice

............ the children in the park?

• Am

• Is

• Are

Multiple Choice

Angelina Jolie is American. ................. isn't French.

• He

• They

• It

• She

Multiple Choice

..................you the new student?
Yes, I..................... .

• Am/are
• Is/is
• Are/am
• Am/are

Multiple Choice

Nadia and Leila .............. friends. They hate each other.

• are
• aren't
• is
• isn't

Multiple Choice

The newspaper ...................... cheap.

• are
• is
• am
• 're

Multiple Choice

Tom and Jim _________ good boys.

• is
• am
• are
• 'm

Multiple Choice

They_________ my friends.

• is
• am
• are
• 'm

Multiple Choice

It ...........  cold today.

• is
• am
• be
• are

So, how to make these sentences into past.

We know that to be present forms are : am, is, are. Past Simple (to be) sentences are the same, we need to change am, is, are to past forms of 'to be' - was, were. Look at the picture.

If we use Past Simple sentences, we usually need to say the approximate time in the past.

Let's practise. Choose the correct option.

Multiple Choice

She __ at the shops last week.

• wasn't
• weren't
• were not
• isn't

Multiple Choice

We __ tired yesterday.

• are
• was
• were
• where

Multiple Choice

My parents __ at a restaurant on Saturday.

• were
• was
• is
• are

Multiple Choice

Monica __ with her friends yesterday.

• weren't
• wasn't
• where not
• were not

Multiple Choice

Where ___ you last weekend?

• was
• wasn't
• were
• where

Multiple Choice

__ the game easy?

• Are
• Isn't
• Were
• Was

Multiple Choice

Tom and Tina __ late for work yesterday.

• were
• was
• where
• wasn't

Multiple Choice

__ you at the bus yesterday?

• Was
• Where
• Were
• Is

Multiple Choice

She __ at the cinema last week.

• was
• were
• is
• weren't

Now, Can you spot the difference between Past Simple (TO BE) sentences and Present Simple (TO BE) sentences. Let's go!

Multiple Choice

I was bored yesterday.

• Past Simple

• Present Simple

Multiple Choice

I wasn't ready to see so many poor people.

• Past Simple

• Present Simple

Multiple Choice

I am brave enough to walk home on my own.

• Past Simple

• Present Simple

Multiple Choice

The last swimming experience was scary.

• Past Simple

• Present Simple

Multiple Choice

My phone is the most useful item I have.

• Past Simple

• Present Simple

Multiple Choice

I'm not popular at school.

• Past Simple

• Present Simple

Multiple Choice

Titanic was an enourmous ship.

• Past Simple

• Present Simple

Multiple Choice

People who are cruel to animals are not people.

• Past Simple

• Present Simple

Multiple Choice

My brain is useless today.

• Past Simple

• Present Simple

Multiple Choice

Yesterday I was really excited about the news.

• Past Simple

• Present Simple

Multiple Choice

The news is good.

• Past Simple

• Present Simple

Multiple Choice

People were poorer in 1905.

• Past Simple

• Present Simple

You did an amazing job! Thank you!