A past tense verb tells action that happened in the past – anytime before right now. Most verbs add an –ed ending to show past tense. However, verbs that end in a -y are a little different. Anytime you want to make the past tense form of a verb ending in -y, you must change the -y to an -i before adding the -ed.
Here are some examples:
Today I carry the box.
Yesterday I carried the box.
Today I must bury my dead goldfish.
Last week, I buried another dead fish.
Today the mice scurry through the cabinet.
Last night the mice scurried through the cabinet.
More examples of past tense verbs with an -ied ending:
marry – married
party – partied
deny – denied
notify – notified
cry – cried
Please note: Verbs ending in -y with a vowel before the –y do not change the -y to an -i.
destroy – destroyed
employ – employed
enjoy – enjoyed
decay – decayed
display – displayed
Verbs usually take an -ed ending for past tense. Verbs ending in -ay or oy also take an -ed ending. However, verbs ending in a -y with a consonant before the -y change the -y to an -i before adding -ed.
▶It’s your turn. Spell the correct past tense of the verb for this sentence. Today I hurry to work. Yesterday I ____ to work. Did you figure it out? Good for you!