Prétérit simple et BV-ing
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1. Prétérit simple
• La conjugaison est la même pour toutes les personnes ! Facile.
• Pour les verbes irréguliers, seule la forme affirmative est différente. Il faut apprendre par cœur le prétérit de ces verbes.
| | (+) | (−) | (?) |
|---|---|---|---|
| sujet + BV + -ed | sujet + didn't + BV | did + sujet + BV | |
| Verbes réguliers | We visited London last year. | We didn't visit any museums. | Did you visit Buckingham Palace? |
| Verbes irréguliers | We went to London last year. | We didn't go to any museums. | Did you go to Buckingham Palace? |
2. Prétérit be + BV-ing
Formation : be au prétérit + BV-ing.
• Il permet de commenter des actions en cours dans le passé.
What were you doing at the time of the crime?
I was eating in the kitchen. I wasn't reading in my bedroom.
What were you doing at the time of the crime?
I was eating in the kitchen. I wasn't reading in my bedroom.
• Associé dans une phrase au prétérit simple, il indique qu'une action était en cours au moment où une autre s'est passée.
He was watching a film when he heard a shot.
She saw him in the bookshop while they were walking down the street.
He was watching a film when he heard a shot.
She saw him in the bookshop while they were walking down the street.
Le sais-tu ?
C'est l'auxiliaire did (prétérit de do) qui porte la marque du passé ; il est invariable. On utilise plus souvent la forme négative contractée didn't ← did + not.Pour les réponses brèves, c'est encore did qui fait tout.
Did Mary enjoy her trip? Yes, she did.
Did you book the same trip? No, I didn't.
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