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Simple Past Tense - Regular Verbs (Onvoltooid Verleden Tijd - O.V.T.)

Simple Past Tense - Regular Verbs (Onvoltooid Verleden Tijd - O.V.T.) (A2)

Also known as the imperfect tense, the simple past tense describes actions or states that happened and were completed in the past. It's often used for storytelling, describing past habits, or actions occurring at a specific past time.

Formation (Regular Verbs):

  1. Find the stem: Remove the -en from the infinitive (e.g., werken -> werk, reizen -> reiz). Remember stem change rules if applicable (e.g., praten -> praat, leven -> leev -> leef).
  2. Check the last letter of the stem: Use the 't Kofschip rule (or 't Fokschaap, Soft Ketchup - they contain the same consonants).
  • If the stem ends in t, k, f, s, ch, or p, add -te for singular subjects (ik, jij, u, hij, zij, het) and -ten for plural subjects (wij, jullie, zij).
  • If the stem ends in any other consonant or a vowel, add -de for singular subjects and -den for plural subjects.

Examples:

  • werken (to work) -> stem = werk (ends in k - from 't Kofschip)
  • ik/jij/hij werkte (I/you/he worked)
  • wij/jullie/zij werkten (we/you/they worked)
  • praten (to talk) -> stem = praat (ends in t - from 't Kofschip)
  • ik/jij/hij praatte (I/you/he talked)
  • wij/jullie/zij praatten (we/you/they talked)
  • reizen (to travel) -> stem = reiz (ends in z - not in 't Kofschip)
  • ik/jij/hij reisde (I/you/he traveled)
  • wij/jullie/zij reisden (we/you/they traveled)
  • leven (to live) -> stem = leef (ends in f - from 't Kofschip)
  • ik/jij/hij leefde (I/you/he lived) - Note: Even though the stem ends in f, the original infinitive leven has a v. The rule checks the sound before the stem change, or more simply, if the stem ends in z or v, use d(en).
  • wij/jullie/zij leefden (we/you/they lived)
  • horen (to hear) -> stem = hoor (ends in r - not in 't Kofschip)
  • ik/jij/hij hoorde (I/you/he heard)
  • wij/jullie/zij hoorden (we/you/they heard)

Usage:

  • Gisteren werkte ik thuis. (Yesterday I worked at home.)
  • Vroeger reisden we veel. (We used to travel a lot in the past.)
  • Hij praatte te veel. (He talked too much.)

Key Points:

  • The simple past is one conjugated verb, unlike the perfect tense which uses an auxiliary + participle.
  • Mastering the 't Kofschip rule (and its exceptions with v/z stems) is crucial for regular verbs.
  • The ending depends on whether the subject is singular or plural.