Learning English

In the last activity you heard Rob’s interview with Danny Murphy – and you read a summary of the interview.  

Here are the mistakes that were in the summary: 

1. The summary said: ‘At the age of 17, Murphy began a long career as a professional footballer, although he didn’t score his first goal in a professional team until a year later’ - That’s false. Danny was 16 when he scored as a substitute for Crewe, a year before he became a professional player.

 2. The summary said: ‘He was part of the Liverpool team that won six trophies in a single year’ – That’s the second mistake. The Liverpool team won five, not six trophies in the year he mentions.

 3. The summary said: ‘Sadly, his family didn’t seehis England debut.’ – That’s the third mistake. Danny Murphy played his first game for England in front of his family. Well done if you got those right!

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Past simple negatives

We promised you a look at past simple negatives – here it is.

There were 2 past simple negatives in the interview summary. Here they are again. Have a look at them and read the grammar notes.

… he didn’t score his first goal in a professional team until a year later.
… his family didn’t see his England debut.

We make the past simple negative with subject + didn’t (did not) + infinitive.

• Peru did not qualify for the 2014 football World Cup in Brazil.
• Last time we didn’t win anything.
• Danny Murphy’s family didn’t see his England debut.

To do

Got that? Good. Now let’s do some practice.

Next

How did you do? For more past simple information and examples, go to the next activity, where Finn brings you this unit’s 6 Minute Grammar and Sophie eats biscuits…