Error Analysis of Using Simple Past Tense in A Conversation Class. (A Study at MA Swasta Ulumul Qur’an Langsa)

This study analyzes students’ errors in constructing simple past sentences at a conversation class. It further looks at types of errors they uttered and problems they encountered in constructing the sentences. This research used quantitative descriptive approach. 21 students at the tenth grade of MA Swasta Ulumul Qur’an Langsa were selected as the subject as the research. To collect the data, the researcher used test and interview. The finding of the research reveals that types of error constructed by the students were omission, addition, misformation, and misordering, which the classification of 38,09 % students did the omission error, 19,04 % of students did the addition, 85,71 % of students did the misformation, and 9.52 % of students did the misordering errors. Their difficulties in contructing simple past tense in conversation were due to lack of vocabulary and did not master the irregular verb in past form. They also found difficulties in pronouncing words in past form.