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Forming the past tense of the desu-masu-tai
Verb conjugations of dictionary forms depend on the type of verb it is: whether or not the verb is a ru-verb or a u-verb, the specific ending of the verb, etc.
You’ll be glad to know that the past tense of the desu-masu-tai is consistent. You simply change the ます/ masu ending of the verb to ました mashita, as shown below in several diverse examples:
Dictionary form
non-past masu form
past-tense masu form
買う
買います
買いました
kau
kaimasu
kaimashita
Dictionary form
non-past masu form
past-tense masu form
食べる
食べます
食べました
taberu
tabemasu
tabemashita
Dictionary form
non-past masu form
past-tense masu form
する
します
しました
suru
shimasu
shimashita
Dictionary form
non-past masu form
past-tense masu form
泳ぐ
泳ぎます
泳ぎました
oyogu
oyogimasu
oyogimashita
Example:
先週新車を買いました。
Senshū shinsha o kaimashita.
I bought a new car last week.
彼女はリンゴを食べました。
Kanojo wa ringo o tabemashita.
She ate an apple.