Enroll Course: https://www.coursera.org/learn/simple-past-tense
Are you looking to solidify your understanding of English grammar, specifically the simple past tense? Look no further than Coursera’s “Simple Past Tense” course. This comprehensive yet accessible course breaks down a fundamental aspect of English grammar, making it manageable and even enjoyable to learn.
From the outset, the course tackles the core of the simple past: forming it with both regular and irregular verbs. It doesn’t shy away from the reality of numerous irregular verbs, but cleverly introduces patterns and memorization techniques to ease the burden. You’ll delve into the nuances of adding ‘-ed’ to regular verbs, including essential spelling changes that often trip up learners. The section on irregular verbs is thorough, providing clear examples and strategies for retention.
One of the standout features of this course is its clear explanation of forming negative sentences and questions in the simple past. The distinction between ‘be’ verbs and other verbs is explained with precision, and the absence of irregular forms in negatives is a welcome relief! Object pronouns are also covered, clarifying the difference between subject and object forms like ‘she/her’ and ‘he/him’, which is crucial for accurate sentence construction.
The module dedicated to question forms is equally impressive. You’ll learn how to construct both yes/no questions and information questions using ‘did’ and the base form of the verb, a skill that unlocks fluent past-tense conversation. The final week broadens your grammatical horizons by introducing demonstratives (‘this,’ ‘that,’ ‘these,’ ‘those’), comparative adjectives, and infinitives. Understanding infinitives with verbs like ‘need,’ ‘want,’ and ‘like’ adds another layer of expressiveness to your English.
Overall, “Simple Past Tense” on Coursera is an excellent resource for intermediate English learners or anyone needing a refresher. The clear structure, practical examples, and focus on common pitfalls make it a highly recommended course for building a strong foundation in past-tense usage. Whether you’re preparing for an exam or simply want to communicate more effectively about past events, this course delivers.
Enroll Course: https://www.coursera.org/learn/simple-past-tense